Bold*- parstletounge

Italics - thoughts

"Normal"- speech and narrative

Chapter 61: Dogs And Dragons

14/11/1994

~~~~~~~~~

It was only the next day, yet Cass still couldn't wait to talk to her uncle in a few days time. She was in such a good mood recently and honestly didn't think anything could stop it.

The only thing that brought a slight dampener onto her mood was the fact it was slowly nearing the first task of the tournament and she had no idea what Cedric was up against. Her and the twins had been helping him with his agility and knowledge of spells but its hard to practice for the unknown.

"Heya Cassie-bear, how're you doing on this fine morning?"

The Riddle smiled as she stepped out of the Slytherin common room to face two redheads.

"Hello boys! Where's Ced?"

"He needed to go to the owlrey and said to meet him in the great hall." Fred answered. George then knelt down, back facing Cass, "Milady!"

Cassandra giggled before clambering onto him for a piggyback. The three laughed their way up to breakfast, George running in a zigzag down the halls with Cass holding onto him for dear life.

Eventually they reached the door of the great hall, Cass climbing out of the piggyback, and the trio straightened their clothes. The group made their way to their usual spot at the Hufflepuff table, Cassandra waving at the Slytherins as she went.

"Hey Cedric hun! Anything good in the paper today?" She said, looking over his shoulder and taking a bite of his toast.

"You may find the front page as well as page two, six and seven interesting." He stated, passing the Prophet over to his crush.

Cassie glanced at the front page and let out a barn of laughter. There, right in the centre, was a picture of and uncomfortable looking Potter. "This is going to be good!" She smirked, beginning to read.

After finishing she placed the paper down and looked at her boys. "That Rita Skeeter sure does know how to wright an article..." she stated sarcastically, eyes flashing red, "like seriously though, what in Merlins beard was that! It was all about bloody Pothead, the names of Viktor and Fleur were misspelled and added like an extra thought! And Cedric, you weren't even bloody mentioned!!"

Fred grabbed the paper from in front of her, "yeah but what about where she wrote that he said, and I quote, 'I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now. Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it - I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me...'"

"Or, or," George butted in, tearing the object out of his brother's hands, "where it says 'Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top students in the school.'"

At that Cass burst out laughing before glancing at the time. Standing up she gave each boy a kiss on the cheek. "I'll catch up with you guys at dinner okay?"

"Absolutely" they replied simultaneously and waved their to their friend as she made her way to the Slytherin table.

"Hey guys! Read the article on the tournament yet?" Cassandra stated cheerfully, plopping herself in Blaise's lap and throwing a quick smile to Luna across the hall as she caught her eye.

"Absolutely! Can't wait to make fun of Potter for it!" Said Draco cunningly.

Cassie smirked. "Cousin, I was thinking exactly the same thing!"

———

That day, whenever they passed Potter in the hall they all made a snide remark about the article.

Cass had made a list of her personal favourites:

~ "Want a hanky, Potter, in case you start crying in Transfiguration?" - Daphne

~ "Since when have you been one of the top students in the school, Potter? Or is this a school you and Longbottom have set up together?" - Theo

~ "You about to go nip for a quick sob about your dead mum?" - Pansy

Potter wasn't the only one getting backlash from them and the student body; Granger was another target among the school. Getting yelled at in the hallways by jealous girls who all wanted to date the famous Harry Potter. Surprisingly she hadn't fought back, which gained Cass's respect - though not too much, she was the mudblood after all.

———

22/11/1994

It was nearly 2am and Cassandra was sat by the fireplace in the Slytherin common room, a book on her lap. Her authority as Voldemort's daughter got everyone to leave and go to their dorms, with only small grumbles from a few of the older students.

Speaking of older students, she wondered how Marcus was doing. She hadn't written to him for a while and felt kind of bad for not staying in touch. As she made a mental note to send him an owl, a noise from the fire drew her attention.

Cassandra placed a bookmark in her book and lay it on the coffee table before kneeling down next to the fireplace, smiling as she saw her Uncle's face sat in it.

"Hi Uncle Sirius! How are you? Are you okay? Did you manage to get into Grimmauld? You're not taking any risks doing this, right?"

"Merlin! Calm down pup! Yes I'm alright, yes I'm fine, yes I'm in this awful place, no I'm not taking risks being here! Anyways enough on me pup, how are you?" said Sirius with a grin.

"I'm pretty stressed, the first task is in a few days and I'm scared for Cedric as we have no idea what the task is so can't properly prepare! He could be killed! Fleur and Viktor could too! And, oh uncle Sirius, I'm really worried for my friends!"

"I'm worried too pup, but I guess not exactly for the reasons you are. I have no doubt that you know what's going on with Harry but we made an agreement, I don't tell you anything and you don't tell me anything, so I won't ask. Also I'm sure your friends will be fine, especially with Karkaroff around."

"What the frick does Igor have to do with anything? That egotistical bastard is a freaking prick!"

"What? I thought he was a Death Eater? Isn't he on your side?"

"He was, until he ratted out some of our ranks, including my Uncle Barty, to get out of Azkaban. Now he's nothing but a traitor who will meet his end!"

Sirius paused for a moment, then began to speak once more. "What ever you do, make it painful..."

Cassandra smirked. "Don't worry Uncle - I will!"

He grinned back. "Oo, wanted to ask you - what's it like having Moody as a teacher? He's not suspicious of you is he? Don't you be putting suspicion on yourself and getting caught Mrs!"

"Actually it's quite the opposite! I'm his apprentice!"

"WHAT-"

"Shhh! Someone could hear!"

"Right, sorry! How on earth did you manage that?!"

Cassie grinned and then delved into a lengthy explanation to answer her Uncle's question. The chatted into the early hours of the morning and then eventually (and unfortunately) Sirius had to go.

"Bye pup! I hope your boy stays safe in the first task!"

"Bye Uncle Siri, love you!"

"Love you too, pup!"

———

23/11/1994

The next day, the Slytherins were hanging round in the shade of a tree: in the courtyard. Cassandra could see both Cedric and the twins in their own separate groups, compiling of their own house and grinned at the smiles on their faces.

A swift movement caught her eye and she saw Potter angrily storming towards where Weasley and Finnegan were blocking the arch.

"Pst, Cass! Cass! Hey, Cass!" A voice hissed in her ear.

"Yes dearest cousin?"

"Levitate me into the tree."

Cassandra swivelled round and started at Draco. "What?"

"You heard me! Levitate me into the tree!"

"But why?"

"You'll see, just hurry! He's coming! Pleassseeeee!!!"

Sighing, Cass took out her wand and gave it a flick. Draco was now sat in the tree, laying carelessly against a branch. "Quick! Quick! All of you gather round the trunk and look threatening!"

The group rolled their eyes, but did what he asked. Cassandra looked back at Potter and saw he had just barged through his two Gryffindor dorm mates.

A voice then came from above. "Why so tense Pottah?!"

Draco then jumped dramatically down from the tree and strutted up to the idiot.

"Did he seriously just make me put him in a tree to jump out of it a second later?!" Cass said disbelievingly to Daphne, who snorted, before going to back her cousin up.

"My father and I have a bet you know! He reckons you won't last ten minutes in this tournament..."

Cassandra joined in, "I disagree - I think you won't last five!"

The Slytherins laughed and flashed their 'Potter Stinks' badges, those on the courtyard with their own joining in.

"I don't give a damn what your father thinks Malfoy! Now Riddle move out the way I need to get to Diggory!" He said, pushing past her and making his way to the group of Hufflepuffs on the opposite side of the courtyard.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes and slowly began to follow him, gesturing at her friends to stay behind.

As she got nearer to the group of badgers she heard them saying rude things about him cheating whilst flashing their badges. She almost laughed.

"Can I have a word?" Potter asked Cedric and the two walked off on their own to a quiet place.

Cassandra knew it was now time to make her move. She crept up behind Cedric and, standing on her tiptoes, covered his eyes.

"Guess who?!"

"Darlin', I know it's you I literally saw you coming up behind us!" He laughed, pulling her into his side. Cedric then turned to Potter. "Alright mate what is it?"

The Gryffindor glanced at Cass warily, "ummmm..."

"Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of her too!" Ced stated firmly.

Potter sighed. "Urgh, fine. Cedric - the first task is dragons."

"What?" The Snake and the Badger replied.

"Dragons," the boy repeated, "They've got four, one for each of us, and we've got to get past them!"

Cassandra looked up at her friend and saw panic flash across his eyes. She grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He squeezed back.

"A-Are you sure?"

"Positive."

All of a sudden a voice sounded from the group of Puffs Cedric left behind, "stop talking to him Ced! He's not worth it!"

Cedric glanced over and gave a quick grin before turning back to Potter. "Thanks, I've er got to go..."

As the boy was turning away Cedric grabbed his arm, "oh and I- about the badges... I've asked them to not wear them."

"It's fine, don't worry." Stated Potter, before nodding goodbye to him and giving a glare to Cass.

Once he was out of earshot Cassandra burst out laughing, "'asked them to take them off' my arse! You helped me and the twins make them! They," she gestured towards his group of Hufflepuffs, "helped make them!"

Cedric snorted, "yeah but he doesn't know that does he?"

"You've got a point there!"

It suddenly was quite, unbeknownst to either of them they were still holding hands.

"So... dragons?"

Cedric nodded grimly. "Dragons."