November 7, 1975 - Hogwarts
Avery had kept his promise. That same evening, when Severus returned from an excursion to the library, he found the common room overflowing with people, some kind of celebration clearly taking place. The students, fifth-through-seventh-years, wandered about in groups, talking and laughing loudly, and some even dancing to the soft music that seemed to emanate from the centre of the room.
He tugged down his sleeves self-consciously, even knowing he'd just be passing by. His classmates had put on their best clothes - clean-pressed suits and dress-robes - while he hadn't even bothered to change from his dingy, faded uniform.
He kept to the edges of the room, hoping to pass by unseen.
"Where've you been, Severus?" Augustus asked with an impressive amount of clarity, given the way he was swaying on his feet.
Severus frowned, and answered stiffly. "Outside. And I'll be going to my room, now, if you don't mind."
"Cassiopeia's looking for you," Augustus smirked, taking another swig from his glass.
"And so?" Severus replied indifferently.
"I last saw her near the fireplace," the other boy added, before taking back off into the gathering.
Severus sighed - hating how predictable he was being - and made his way there.
Thankfully, the back of the room was less crowded than the front. Most of light stemmed from the roaring fire, warming the room, but also providing him with a kind of obscurity. There was still the scent of alcohol in the air - he knew it well - but it lessened here, and he breathed deeply in relief.
"Not your thing either?"
Severus cursed being startled twice in one night, whirling around to meet Cassiopeia's face. She was sitting in an armchair near the wall, curled up and almost invisible in the darkness, save for the way the fire-light reflected off her skin.
He shook his head slightly in response. "Is there a reason, then, why you're still here?"
She rolled her eyes. "One of the drunk seventh years cursed the entrance to the dorm, and I don't particularly fancy having my clothes stripped off."
Severus raised his brows in surprise, suddenly extremely thankful that he'd been diverted from his goal.
"I tried to untangle it, but it won't yield. I'd call Professor Slughorn but I don't want to ruin their fun. Besides - he was probably paid off not to interrupt us, I doubt he'd even be willing."
"Ah."
She observed him for a second, before gesturing for him to sit with her on the opulent chair. He accepted gratefully, perching himself on the side, and staring into the fire, enjoying the moment.
It was minutes later that Augustus stumbled onto them, noticeably less sober than he'd been before. A glass of whiskey - or so it seemed - adorned his hand, almost spilling out onto his oxford-blue robes were it not for the enchantment that kept the liquid contained.
"Augustus?" Cassie spoke up, reaching out a hand to steady him. "Are you alright? You seem - " she scrunched up her nose slightly, "- very drunk."
"I'm fine," he replied petulantly. "I've had alcohol before."
"Not this much, I don't think," she remarked, pulling back her arm. "Where's Rory?"
In an instant, Augustus' mood dropped. "I don't know."
"I'll go find her, then," Cassie said.
"No - " Augustus stopped her from standing with his hand, some clarity returning to his expression. "No, you can't."
Severus spoke for the first time, observing his friend with confusion. "And why is that?"
"My father's forbidden me from speaking to her. And as you can see - "
"- there's too many people here," Severus finished for him, eyeing his friend sympathetically. "At least lay off the drinking, though, and sit down. Really, you look awful."
Augustus shot him a look, before all-but-collapsing onto the nearest sofa, his eyes fluttering closed.
Severus turned to Cassie. "Will you make sure he's fine? I'll go get a Sober-Up, or brew one myself - I don't want him to feel awful tomorrow."
"Of course," she replied, already settling down next to the passed-out boy. "Just come back soon, oh, and ask Slughorn if he'll undo the hex - we can at least try, and maybe he'll be sympathetic."
Severus nodded his agreement, reluctantly abandoning his relatively quiet, dark corner to once again make his way into the crowd. At least they'd settled down, somewhat, he noticed, talking quietly in groups, or… knocking back yet another shot while situated on the floor.
Severus' mouth twisted in distaste. Really, whose idea was it to give out free drinks to teenagers?
"Snape!" a voice called from behind him, stopping Severus in his tracks. It was an older Slytherin - a seventh-year pureblood, it looked like - with mousy brown hair and eyes. The last name 'Crouch' came to mind, but Severus did not immediately recognise him.
"Yes?"
"Where're you going? It's barely eleven," he slurred.
Severus was baffled at the familiarity. "To brew Sober-Up for Augustus." He fixed the older boy with a stare. "Though you look like you might need some yourself."
The seventh-year laughed, unbothered. "Loosen up, Snape. Here - want some?"
A glassful of alcohol was thrust in front of him, and it was all Severus could do not to cast it back into the Slytherin's face. "No, thank you. I don't drink."
The invitation - as unpleasant as it was - was made even more so by the distinct blend of drink, a favourite of his father's. He veritably snarled at the memory - Tobias returning from the pub reeking of whiskey and gin, and setting his fists upon Eileen.
"C'mon," the boy crooned, swaying on his feet.
"Fuck off," Severus replied, pushing away the proffered glass. The seventh-year stumbled back, but did not seem too bothered by his rejection, instead ambling back off to his friends, laughing.
Severus sighed in annoyance, pushing open the door.
November 16, 1975 - Hogwarts
"Here it is, dear - I'm sorry it took so long to get finalised."
Minerva handed her the thick roll of parchment, alongside a quill.
"Read over it all, if you'd like, but most of it is just formality - titles, clothing, fees, testing, the like."
Cassiopeia bit her lip, her eyes stilling just as she reached the first line. "How much do I owe you?"
"Hmm?" For a moment, Minerva seemed genuinely confused. "Oh, no, lass, I've it all covered. You needn't worry."
She flushed, but smiled gratefully, looking the rest of the document over. Nothing much stuck out to her, and she skimmed over most of the technicalities. The most interesting thing she could find was that she'd need to wear a marker - to identify herself to other students - though what such a symbol would be was left unsaid.
Cassie signed, and paused a second later to examine how she felt. No regrets was the reassuring response. She smiled up at her soon-to-be-Master.
"It's been so long since I last had an apprentice," the older witch mused, a fond smile playing over her lips as she met the Slytherin's eyes. "I'm looking forward to teaching you all I can."
Cassiopeia left Professor McGonagall's office shaking. It was difficult to identify the adrenaline-rush of emotions swirling through her head, but even that could not quell the urge to allow her euphoric smile to break free.
She felt… light. Happy. Like she finally had a purpose in her life.
And in her delight, she thought of Severus, and how she wanted to break to him the news. The universe, it seemed, wished to aid her in her endeavour, for not moments after she pictured his captivating image in her mind's eye, there he appeared.
She called to him, causing Severus to whip around to face her, long hair slashing against his face. She smiled at the scene, so painfully familiar to her.
"I was looking for you," she told him, "Let's go outside."
The walk to the front doors calmed her, and the heart-bursting elation that she'd felt settled into a kind of warm contentment, made even better by her discovery that the air outside today was warm, and she could forgo her spells in favour of feeling the breeze across her skin.
"Are you sure you haven't been dosed with something?" Severus asked for the second time now, though he didn't seem too worried. "You're smiling at the trees."
"Am I?" she asked blithely. "Maybe. I'm in a good mood."
"I can tell."
Severus looked as if he was wondering why he'd allowed himself to be all-but-dragged onto the grounds.
"I've signed onto my apprenticeship," she announced finally, watching his expression with anticipation. He smiled, just a small uplifting of his lips, but it was enough for her.
"I'm glad to hear that."
She grinned at him, revelling in the lightness of the moment. "I feel like I could just…" she trailed off, "... run off into the sunset, you know? Get lost somewhere."
Severus raised his eyebrows at her. "Go on, then."
It was her turn to look surprised, before an idea seized her mind, and her eyes glimmered mischievously as she drew her wand - moments later transforming seamlessly into her Animagus form.
Severus gazed at her - shocked into silence by the revelation of one of the aspects of their lives that they'd kept hidden from each other. The fox met his eyes, looking upon him searchingly, cautiously, and he carefully kneeled onto the soft grass in front of her, reaching out a hand, and allowing Cassiopeia to run her nose against his fingers.
His heart in his throat, Severus allowed his fingers to graze over her soft fur. The decision had been made in a moment, that much was clear, but still, there was some trust there. "You're… gorgeous."
Cassiopeia nudged him with her nose, and he recognised what she was asking of him immediately.
"Cassie - " he began to make his apologies, before pausing. "Let's go somewhere further away."
She bounded away from him in her eagerness, her fluffy grey tail the only part of her body visible in the tall grass that grew near the forest. When she realised - moments later - that he still wasn't following her, she barked at him raspily to join her.
How could he refuse?
In seconds, he allowed his body to assume its second form, seamlessly flowing into that shape which was so familiar to him. How many nights had he practiced this, in the silence of the Room, just so the transformation would be perfect? However many there had been, he was glad they'd paid off as Cassiopeia ran up to him swiftly, stopping herself just before his paws. She looked up at him reverently, and he realised how massive he must look from her perspective.
He settled his body on the grass, and allowed her to explore it with her nose as if they were only just animals, to nudge his fur, and admire his strength.
When she'd finished his examination, she returned to his face, bumping her small, wet nose, against his much larger, darker one. She stared into his eyes, seemingly concentrating on something with all her effort.
You're a beautiful panther, Severus, popped into his mind moments later, and he huffed in surprise, both at the communication, and the compliment.
How do you do that? He thought back at her, and smiled when she barked in excitement seconds later.
Like that. But it's difficult.
He smiled, and was surprised when she backed off a little, shaking her head. Ah, that probably looked like a snarl.
You're quite intimidating as a cat, especially with my instincts.
And otherwise? He asked, standing up from the ground, and stretching up to his full height, indulging in the feeling of power and strength that it brought to him.
No, then you're just my Severus.
This was the last she said to him before breaking eye contact, clambering onto a log at the edge of the forest to gain equal height with him. She looked so eager standing there, chest puffed out like a lion with pride, that he couldn't help the rumbling laugh that tore from his throat.
Merlin, he was so glad she was still his friend.
November 17, 1975 - Hogwarts
Lucius Malfoy -
I hope this letter finds you well, Lucius. I know we do not write often, but I've come into the knowledge of some unfortunate news that I'd like to discuss with you. Would you be opposed to meeting in person? It is the type of information that I would rather not take chances with, and would appreciate getting to talk over with you.
Please give Narcissa my best wishes.
- Cassiopeia
•••
Thank you to SilentMayhem and Stephanie MRV as always. I hope you are all doing wonderfully, and staying safe. Thank you for reading.