Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Draco faced the second year potion students, Slytherin and Gryffindor, folding his arms and leaning back against the desk. Today was the first day of him teaching and he could admit to himself that he was a little nervous. He hoped the students took him seriously, otherwise it was going to make his job a lot harder. Snape was standing in the back to observe him, which added a little to his anxiety. "Good morning, students. My name is Professor Malfoy," He felt so strange saying that, especially as he wasn't technically a professor yet. But he liked the sound of it and couldn't bring himself to have them call him Mr. Malfoy, it would make him still feel like a student if they did. So professor would just have to do. "Today we will be brewing a Swelling Solution. Does anyone know what that is?" He called on a Gryffindor to answer.
"Uh," The boy looked around nervously. "It makes things swell?"
"Obviously," Draco sneered. "Does anyone have an intelligent answer to give? Cassius?"
Cassius started a bit. He hadn't been raising his hand. "It – it causes whatever it touches to grow and expand." he said a little nervously.
Draco nodded. "That's right. Five points to Slytherin."
Cassius beamed. He had earned points from his brother! So far his plan to impress Draco was turning out great.
Two Gryffindor boys sitting near him began whispering, loud enough for Cassius to hear.
"Of course he gave him points. He's his brother." One of them hissed.
"Ron Weasley says he is so pathetic,"
"I know. I heard he couldn't even stand up to the muggles he lived with."
"And he's supposed to be a hero?"
Cassius gritted his teeth as he tried to ignore them and concentrate on his potion. But it was difficult with the glances and snickers clearly directed his way. He kept losing his place in the instructions and bit his lip as he looked at his potion. It didn't look right. Had he added the dried nettles? He grabbed more and went to throw them in his cauldron.
"Cassius!" Draco grabbed his hand before he could add the nettles to the potion. "Are you even paying attention? You already added these. But you didn't put enough of puffer-fish eyes in."
"Sorry Dra- err, Professor Malfoy," Cassius mumbled.
"Read the directions more carefully," Draco said sternly before continuing to walk around the room to observe the students.
"He's stupid, too." One of the boys snickered.
Cassius hunched his shoulders in, wanting to be invisible. They were right, he was stupid. How could he impress his brother when he was such a screw up? Whether he was Harry Potter or Cassius Malfoy, he was an idiot. And soon Draco would realize it and be embarrassed to have a brother like him. He probably won't even bother with me anymore, he thought sadly.
Jason looked up from his own cauldron. "Hey, do you need help?" he whispered when he noticed his friends potion wasn't turning out right.
Cassius shrugged. He noticed Jason's potion was finished and looked perfect. Even Enzo was almost done. Jason quickly began preparing Cass's ingredients for him and telling him when to put them in. Cassius let him, figuring it didn't matter if his friend did his work for him. It wasn't like he could concentrate. He just sat there, glaring at the Gryffindors who had made fun of him.
They both looked up when they heard a cough behind them. "Although I expect my Slytherins to help each other, that does not include cheating," Snape said, giving them a disapproving look. "Doing his work for him will not help him," he said to Jason as he banished Cassius's potion. "Start over." he told his godson.
Cassius looked across the room to see Draco looking his way, a very displeased look on his face. He quickly began his potion again. When class was over, Cassius just stayed in his seat, working on his potion. His friends looked sympathetic as they left and luckily he didn't have any classes after this one. He couldn't wait to get back to his quarters where he could just hide out in his room.
"Cass, what happened today?" Draco asked as he came to stand by his brother. Snape was looking at the vials that the students had put on his desk.
Cassius shrugged and didn't answer.
"A verbal response, please," Draco said in an irritated voice. What had gone wrong?
"Sod off, I'm busy!" Cassius snapped, not wanting to tell his brother why he had been so off during class.
Quick as a flash, Draco grabbed him and pulled him up, staring hard into his eyes. "Talk to me like that again and we are going to have problems. Understand me, little boy?" he asked dangerously.
Cassius flinched slightly and nodded. "Yes sir."
Draco let go of him. "What happened?" He demanded.
"Nothing," Cassius said. He knew he wasn't supposed to lie but this was different. If he was being hurt physically, he would tell his brother. But this was just mean words, he could handle it. "I just lost focus and couldn't get it back." he said, which was true. He just didn't include why he had lost focus. What use would it be to tattle on those Gryffindors? It wouldn't change that what they had said was the truth. And he didn't want Draco to feel obliged to soothe his feelings by saying he wasn't a total moron.
Draco sighed. "You need to pay better attention. And don't let your friend do your work for you, you know better than that." he scolded lightly. "You won't learn that way."
"Sorry," Cassius whispered, feeling like a loser.
Draco nodded. "Finish your potion and then I'll walk you to our quarters." He walked over to his godfather and rubbed his hand over his face.
"You did very well today," Snape remarked. "And most of these potions actually look passable."
"Thank you," Draco said quietly. He had enjoyed teaching but was worried about Cassius. Something was wrong with his brother but he didn't know what could be upsetting him so much. Was having him be the teacher too much for Cassius? He'd been supportive when Draco had run the idea by him but maybe Cass had changed his mind.
"Did he say what was wrong?" Snape asked, looking over at his youngest godson.
"No. Just that he couldn't seem to focus," Draco sighed. "You usually only give partial credit if the student has to stay behind to finish, right?"
"Usually," Snape answered. "But this is your class. You can give full credit." He gave Draco a small, knowing smile.
Draco relaxed somewhat. "Thanks." His brother walked over and he took the vial Cassius gave him and peered at it. "Looks good." He ruffled Cass's hair. "Give me a few minutes and then we can go."
"Okay," Cassius said softly.
"Cass," Draco said. "Is it distracting for you that I'm teaching?"
"No," Cassius said honestly. Draco wasn't the problem, he was. "I thought you did a really good job." He glanced at his godfather. "Didn't you?"
"I did," Snape agreed. "He's a natural."
Cassius offered his brother a smile and wandered over to the cupboard where the ingredients were. Glancing behind him, he saw Draco and Snape were engrossed in conversation and not paying attention to him. He faced the cupboard and saw some of the ingredients he needed to make the Animagus potion. Maybe he should make it. He had failed to impress Draco today, but he could impress Draco by making this potion. If he managed it, he could prove he wasn't stupid. He could prove he wasn't completely worthless. Yeah, Draco would be mad and Snape too but both of them would have to be somewhat impressed, right? It would be worth the trouble he would get into if it made Draco proud of him.
"Cass, you ready?"
"Yes." Cassius followed his brother out, hoping the vials he had taken didn't clank together in his pockets.
/
Cassius swooped on his firebolt and caught the snitch, a grin spreading across his face as his teammates cheered. He held up the snitch for the crowd to see and was happy to hear cheering from the stands. Slytherin had played against Gryffindor and while there was booing from many in the stands, there was also cheers by the other houses. He flew by where Gryffindor students were standing and saw Hermione clapping and smiling while Neville cheered loudly for him. It warmed his heart that they were still such good friends. He landed on the ground but before his teammates could get close to him, Ron and Ginny reached him first.
"You think you're so great," Ron sneered. "Little hero in the wizarding world and on the Quidditch field. You've always thought you were better than us."
"That's not true!" Cassius protested, hurt that Ron could truly think that. They had been best friends for years, Ron should know him better than that.
"Maybe' he's not really that great of a Seeker," Ginny gave him a mean smile. "Maybe it's just because someone always buys him the best broomstick. Spoiled brat."
Ron smirked. "Yeah, maybe if you didn't have your broom..."
Cassius held his Firebolt tightly and glared at them. "Go be jealous somewhere else."
Ron scowled. "I'm not jealous!" he lied. The truth is, he'd always been a little jealous of Harry... err, Cassius.
"Such a traitor. No loyalty to Gryffindor." Ginny spat.
"You're just mad that I caught the snitch before you did," Cassius shot back.
"Stupid snake. Let's see if you are still a good player now! Incedio!"
Cassius dropped his broom when Ginny's spell hit and watched in horror as it burst into flames. "No! Sirius gave it to me!" He made to grab it but surprisingly Ron pulled him back.
"Don't be stupid, it's beyond saving," Ron said, a guilty look in his eyes. He knew how much that broom had meant to his former friend.
"No," Cassius whispered. He heard people rushing forward, heard his name being shout but all he could do was watch Sirius's gift burn.
"Cass!" Draco reached his brother. "Are you..." he trailed off as he looked in shock at the broom. He spun around to look at Ron and Ginny. "How could you? Sirius Black gave that to him. He cherished it." he said accusingly.
"Sirius would hate him now," Ginny said. She yelped when a hard hand clamped on her shoulder.
"You two will come with me. Now!" Remus hissed, his eyes flashing. Snape was behind him, arms crossed.
Ginny gulped at the furious look on her Head of House's face. She then paled completely at Snape's dark look. Perhaps destroying the Firebolt had crossed a line.
"I do hope your petty, cruel act was worth it," Snape said dangerously. "Because the rest of your year here at Hogwarts is going to be quite miserable for you, I assure you."
"Ginny did it!" Ron said quickly, quickly throwing his sister under the bus. "I didn't know she was going to. Even I wouldn't do something like that."
"Thanks Ron," Ginny snapped.
"Get moving," Remus growled, ignoring what Ron said. His eyes moved to Cassius and softened. "Pup, I'm so sorry."
Cassius couldn't move his eyes from the ashes of his beloved broom. Sirius...
"Cass," Draco moved in front of his brother. He noticed the glazed look in his brother's eyes and when he took Cass's hands in his own, they were clammy. His brother was in shock. "Oh cub. I'm so sorry. It's going to be okay." He lifted Cassius into his arms and headed to the castle, ignoring the stares of his classmates.
An hour later, Snape floo'd through to Draco and Cassius's quarters to see Draco sitting on the sofa, his arms around his brother. Cassius leaned into him, staring blankly at nothing in particular.
"How are you, Cassius?" Snape asked in a gentle voice as he took a seat. When Cass didn't respond, he looked at Draco.
"He hasn't said a word," Draco said, worry and sadness in his voice. "How could Weasley do that? That broom meant so much to Cass."
"Because Miss Weasley is a horrible, nasty young lady," Snape said, his eyes on his youngest godson. Cassius hadn't showed any sign of hearing what they were talking about. The blank stare concerned him. "Perhaps Madam Pomfrey should tend to him."
Draco tightened his hold on his brother. "No. There's nothing she can do. She would just give him a calming draught or a cheering charm and that would only temporarily mask the pain Cassius is feeling. No, the grief he is feeling." He corrected himself.
Snape nodded in agreement. "We notified Molly and Arthur Weasley about what their daughter has done and they offered to purchase Cass another Firebolt." he said after a moment.
"No!"
Draco looked down at the boy in his arms. "Cass?"
"No! I don't want another Firebolt!" Cassius burst out, his eyes no longer blank but blazing. "My Firebolt was from Sirius and now it's gone..." he sobbed. "I don't want another Firebolt! I want the Firebolt Sirius gave me!"
"Cass, I'm so sorry," Draco held his brother tight as Cassius sobbed into his shoulder. "So sorry."
Snape watched helplessly, wishing he knew the right words to bring comfort to Cassius. "I know losing the Firebolt is devastating but it doesn't change how much Black loved you."
Cassius, tears streaming from his eyes, glanced at Snape.
"Every Order meeting, he talked constantly about you." Snape smiled ruefully. "Of course, it drove me crazy. I had to sit there and hear about how smart you were, how brave, how kind, how amazing...As I was still so deep in my resentment of James Potter it made me detest those meetings." Ironic that now he was the one constantly telling his colleagues how amazing his youngest godson was during staff meetings.
"He loved Harry Potter," Cassius whispered.
"No, child." Snape said softly. "He loved you. You are still the same boy where it matters. It wasn't your name that he loved, it was you. And you are still the same boy he spoke of. You are still smart, brave, kind and amazing. Truly, he did love you and would want you to be happy."
Cassius broke into full sobs and clutched Draco, who held him in a fiercely protective hug. Snape joined them on the sofa and rubbed Cassius's back, offering comfort.
Cassius fell asleep from emotional exhaustion minutes later.
"So what happened to Ginny?" Draco asked quietly, running his hand through Cass's hair.
"Remus has decided that she will be confined to the Gryffindor Tower except for classes. She also has lost her wand except for during her lessons. She will not be a part of or even watch any Quidditch games nor even be allowed to eat in the Great Hall. The elves will deliver her meals to the Tower and as they are quite fond of Cassius, I doubt her meals will be very tasty. She also has detention five days a week and a hundred points was taken from Gryffindor." Snape said. "The restrictions will remain in place until Remus believes she is remorseful."
Draco nodded.
"Ronald Weasley has detention for two weeks despite the fact he wasn't part of casting that spell." Snape continued.
"Then why does he have detention?"
"I felt like assigning it to him," Snape said honestly.
Draco chuckled.
/
A week later, Cassius still felt grief at losing his Firebolt and didn't want to replace it. He was fine using a school broom although Draco had insisted that for games he would use his broom and Draco would use the school one. Cassius didn't care and he didn't really want to talk about the incident, which Draco was respecting. Cassius had been touched by how many people cared about him, as many had offered to replace his Firebolt. Draco, almost all the professors had, Hermione and Neville, even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had written and offered yet again. That had meant a lot to Cassius as he knew they couldn't afford a Firebolt. It put things in perspective. As much as losing his broom hurt, it helped to know that people loved and cared about him, just like Sirius had. It was better to focus on the good memories he had of his godfather, memories no one could take away from him.
There had been a lot of changes in Cassius's life the last couple of months but one thing that was the same, no one went into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Just like Hermione had with the Polyjuice potion, Cass was making the Animagus potion in there. It would be a long process, the potion had to set, sometimes for a week at time. However, he felt he was doing well with the potion. It looked right, according to the book. As long as no one discovered it, that is. Only Enzo knew about it and would go with him to check on it.
The next month flew by and soon it was time for Christmas. Cassius was excited, it would be his first Christmas with Draco and his potion should be completed once vacation was over. He plopped in front of Draco, who was sitting in sitting room and doing his homework.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?" he asked in amusement.
"Are we going to the Manor for Christmas?" Cassius asked eagerly.
"Would you like to?" Draco asked carefully. If his brother wanted to stay at the castle for the holidays, then they would. But he would like to take Cass home for a proper Christmas.
"I would." Cassius nodded. He looked uncertain. "If you do, I mean."
Draco grinned. "Of course I want to, cub. We'll have a great Christmas."
"Brilliant. So I was wondering, can Hermione take me to Diagon Alley?" he asked hopefully.
Draco blinked. "I can take you, Cass. What do you need to get?"
"A Christmas present for you," Cassius grinned. "And Uncle Sev, and my friends."
Draco laughed. "I see. Hmm, well if Hermione agrees then that's fine. But," he added, his tone turning serious. "You are to stay within her sight the whole time. In fact, do not leave her side. Understand?" There were still death eaters loose and he also didn't want anyone to hassle his brother about having been Harry Potter.
"Yes, I understand," Cassius sighed. Merlin, Draco was so overprotective.
/
"Where to first?" Hermione asked brightly as they stood on the busy streets of Diagon Alley.
"Well, I need to get something for Draco and Uncle Sev," Cassius said. "The Apothecary? I was thinking of getting some new vials for Uncle Sev. And since Draco is teaching, maybe a potions journal?"
"Sounds good," Hermione nodded as they went to the Apothecary. Cassius got the vials and a new copper mortar and pestle for his godfather. At the stationary store, he picked out a nice journal for Draco and when Hermione was busy looking at stationary, grabbed a study planner for her. He knew she would like it with N.E.W.T.s coming up. He also got Draco the latest broom servicing kit and a fancy quill that changed to whatever color you wanted. He found a flute for Hagrid and picked up some more owl treats for Hedwig. He stopped at the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to get some gifts for his friends.
"Cassius!" Fred grinned at the small bundle in Cassius's arms. "Found some good stuff?"
Cassius nodded with a smile. "Christmas shopping," he explained as he put his stuff on the counter. He had picked up screaming yo-yo's, bombtastic bombs, silver sparkling snakes, and skiving snackbox's for Jason and Enzo. For Sadie he got otters fizzy orange juice, a self-writing quill and he planned to get some sugar quills as well. He got out his billfold to pay.
"Nope," George said brightly. "Your money is no good here, remember?"
"Oh, right," Cassius said, putting his billfold away. The twins refused to let him pay since he gave them the Triwizard money to start their shop. "If you're sure..."
"Very sure," Fred winked as he put Cassius's items in a bag. "To make up for it, we charge Ron double."
Cassius smirked.
"And we'll charge Ginny triple," George added, a scowl forming. "We're really sorry for what she did."
"It's not your fault," Cassius said softly.
"We sent her a Howler," Fred said.
"You two?" Cassius began laughing.
"Well, we've received our fair share of them," George winked. "We figured we could do it justice."
"She'll be doing chores her entire Christmas break," Fred added. "She's pretty much in disgrace with the entire family and Ron isn't too far behind."
"Anything for you, Hermione?" George asked when she joined them at the counter.
Hermione glanced around. "Uh, no thanks."
"She still doesn't appreciate joke items," Fred whispered loudly, shaking his head.
"Let's go, Cass," Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Where to next?"
"Sugarplums Sweet Shop," Cassius answered.
They had only walked a few steps away when they heard screams from the street.
Cassius looked around, his eyes going wide when he saw Alecto Carrow firing curses randomly as she laughed madly. She was one of the few death eaters who escaped. He paled slightly when she noticed him and immediately apparated in front of him.
"I know who you are," Alecto hissed. She was a stocky, little woman with a cruel smile. "Or should I say, I know who you used to be." Her eyes narrowed. "You killed my master!"
Hermione pushed Cassius behind her, her wand trained on Carrow. "Go back to Fred and George!" She ordered.
Cassius took a step behind her but hesitated. He couldn't leave Hermione. He also got out his wand.
"Cassius, go!" Hermione yelled as Carrow began casting spells. She easily blocked them, putting up a strong shield.
"Expelliarmus!" Cassius shouted, grinning as Carrow's wand flew to him. He smirked at her.
Carrow glared at him, waving her hand and wandlessly levitating Cassius into the air. She raised him high and he dropped her wand in shock. He heard Hermione yell his name and then Carrow suddenly stopped the spell, causing him to fall to the hard ground.
"Arresto Momentum!" Fred and George both shouted, catching Cassius before he could crash on the ground. They had heard the commotion and come out running.
Carrow disapparated and reappeared where her wand had fallen. "You'll pay for what you did, you brat. Just see if you don't," she said before Disapparating away.
Hermione spun around to Cassius. "Are you okay?" she demanded, looking him over.
"I'm fine," Cassius said. He looked at the twins, who had serious looks on their faces. "Thanks, guys."
"No problem," Fred said, looking down the street where some Aurors were emerging. "I'm going to go talk to them." he said, heading in their direction.
"I told you to go to the twins! You shouldn't have stayed." Hermione said angrily.
"Hermione," Cassius protested. "I couldn't leave you!" How could he had left his friend? How could she think that would be something he could do? He couldn't, he just couldn't.
"She could have killed you!" Hermione snapped. "I can handle myself. You, on the other hand, are a child!"
"Hermione," George said, stepping in front of Cassius.
"And yet it was me who faced Voldemort earlier this year!" Cassius yelled at her. "Me who fought a Basilisk! And saved the Sorcerer's Stone! And fought off Dementors! And taught you in the D.A.!" He wasn't some helpless child. He wasn't!
Hermione's face softened a little. "I know but -"
Cassius ignored her and turned away, picking up his packages that he had dropped. He checked the vials to make sure they hadn't broken. He ignored Hermione calling his name and watched the Aurors try to calm down everyone on the street. It didn't look like anyone had been seriously hurt, which was good.
"Hermione, you know Cassius," George said softly. "He could never leave a friend to face harm. Even -" he continued before Hermione could protest. "if it is in his best interest to do so."
Hermione sighed and rubbed her hand over her face. "I know."
TBC: Next up, Draco and Cassius's first Christmas together!