Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
That evening, Cassius stood in Snape's office for his detention. The man was sitting at his desk, marking papers and had yet to talk to him or even look at him since Draco had dropped him off. "Um, Uncle – I mean, Professor," he said softly. He wasn't sure if Snape would want him to call him Uncle Sev. Maybe he was too mad at him. Or maybe he wouldn't want him as a godson anymore, maybe he would go back to treating him like he used to...the thought caused tears to fill his eyes. "I'm really sorry for stealing your ingredients and making that potion." he said, sniffled.
Snape looked up, a small frown forming. "You should be sorry. You know stealing is wrong. And you were completely foolish to make that potion, you could have died!" he regretted his harsh tone as tears slipped out of his godson's eyes. "Cassius -"
"I'll pay for the ingredients," Cassius said, wiping his tears away. Merlin, he was sick of crying. "And I won't do anything like that again, honest."
"Cassius, come here," Snape pushed his chair back and once his godson approached him he pulled him in for a hug. "I believe you are sorry and I forgive you."
"You – you do?" Cassius laid his head on Snape's shoulder. "So you'll still be my godfather?" He asked hopefully.
"What?" Shocked, Snape pushed him back so he could look at him. "What kind of question is that?"
"I thought maybe you would be so mad you wouldn't want me as a godson anymore," Cassius mumbled. "I wouldn't blame you."
"Foolish boy," Snape lightly scolded. "I will always want you as my godson, no matter what."
"I really messed up, Uncle Sev," Cassius said sadly. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Hey!" He rubbed the spot on his thigh that Snape had just swatted.
"I don't want to hear you call yourself stupid again," Snape said sternly. "Yes, you messed up. You made an error of judgment but it doesn't mean you are stupid. You are a child and you'll learn to make better decisions."
"I hope so," Cassius smiled ruefully. He hadn't really learned to the first time around. Of course, he hadn't had Draco then either.
"You will." Snape assured him. "Now, you have detention for two weeks beginning tonight. Be prepared to do a lot of cleaning, cutting up ingredients, and writing."
"Writing?"
"I may set you some lines."
Cassius made a face. At this rate, his hand was going to fall off by the end of the month, as he would be doing a lot of writing for Draco as well. "Yes sir. Are my friends okay?"
"They're fine," Snape said. "They were worried about you. You'll see them in your classes. Their detentions will be separate from yours."
"I understand," Cassius said with a sigh.
"As to the potion you made," Snape leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together as he observed his godson. "You added too much Aconite. As I would hope you know, Aconite is a very toxic ingredient which is why you reacted the way you did to the potion. Except for that, however the potion was very well made."
Cassius's eyes brightened a little.
"I expect to see that level of talent in your all your potions classes," Snape continued.
"Yes sir." Cassius beamed.
Snape hid a smile and pointed to the counter that held dirty cauldrons. "Go on. They won't clean themselves."
"Yes sir," Cassius sighed and trudged over to begin cleaning. "Don't they make self-cleaning cauldrons?"
"Yes and they are very expensive," Snape said in amusement. "Especially if you need enough for all your students."
"We could take up a collection," Cassius suggested as he got to work. "I bet plenty of students would donate money."
"Of course they would. But then what would I have them do in detention?" Snape gave a small smile. "These cauldrons are just fine."
Two hours later Draco arrived and cast a glance to where Cassius was finishing the last of the cauldrons. "How was he?" he asked his godfather.
"Upset at himself when he first arrived," Snape said. "He feared I would not want to be his godfather anymore."
Draco sighed. "When will he understand that we won't cast him away no matter what he does?"
"He was raised with people who locked him away and made him feel worthless," Snape said thoughtfully. "Part of him may wonder if we will do the same, if he does something really bad."
"Did he make that potion to test me?" Draco wondered out loud. Cass had tested him a little since finding out they were brothers, and Draco had expected that. "Did he think I would turn him away if he upset me?"
"I suspect that thought is there in the back of his mind, though he may not realize it." Snape said. "Just continue as you are, Draco. You are doing right by him."
"I hope so. I love him so much," Draco said in a quiet voice.
"I know you do. So do I. And I love you Draco. I'm very proud of the young man you are becoming," Snape said.
Draco smiled. "Thank you."
Cassius walked over. "I'm done."
Snape nodded. "Very good. Your detention for tonight is completed."
Cassius rubbed one shoulder. He was a bit sore from all the scrubbing. "I really am sorry, Uncle Sev."
Snape smiled. "I know you are, Cass. You do not need to keep apologizing."
Draco put his hands on Cassius's shoulders and gently massaged. "Come on, you can have some hot chocolate before bed."
"With marshmallows?" Cassius brightened.
"Of course. What good is hot chocolate without marshmallows?" Draco chuckled as they bid their godfather goodnight and left for their quarters.
/
The first class with his friends, Cassius apologized for getting them into trouble.
"It's not your fault, you didn't force us to go along with it," Enzo shrugged.
Sadie hugged Cassius. "You prat!" she said tearfully. "You could have died!"
"I know. I'm sorry," Cassius said sincerely. "It was a foolish thing to do." He didn't tell his friends that the potion had worked, he was an Animagus. Draco didn't want everyone knowing, since he was too young to be one. "I just feel bad that you all got detention too."
"Eh, it won't be the last time," Enzo joked. He made a face. "The worst part was the professor wrote to our parents."
"My parents sent me a letter, lecturing me," Sadie sighed.
"That's because you rarely get into trouble," Enzo said. "My parents had me sent home for the night. Let's just say I got a good talking to."
"My mum floo called from professor Snape's office and yelled at me for like an hour," Jason said ruefully.
"Yeah, Draco wasn't too pleased with me," Cassius winced slightly at the memory of his spanking. He hoped to never have to experience the slipper again.
"Everyone in their seats!" Bill Weasley said loudly, obviously ready to start class. He gave Cassius a gentle smile before starting that day's lecture.
Cassius had a feeling the professors all knew what had happened. How embarrassing. He was sure of it when after Defence, Remus held him back and lectured him on being safe and responsible before hugging him fiercely and telling him to never scare him like that again.
Of course, when he saw Hermione headed for him he turned to walk quickly away.
"Oh, no you don't," Hermione caught up to him.
"Please Mione, I've been lectured by practically everybody," Cassius pleaded.
"I just want to say -" Hermione began in her usual lecturing tone.
Cassius sighed.
"That I am so glad you're okay," Hermione's face softened and she hugged Cassius.
Cassius relaxed. "You know me, it's not a proper school year unless I do something that puts my life in danger," he joked as she pulled back.
Hermione laughed ruefully. "No, I guess not. So are you okay?"
"Yeah. I mean, I'm on major grounding and stuff but I'm okay."
"Really, Hermione. Why do you even bother?"
Cassius and Hermione both turned to see Ron smirking at them.
"Why do you keep ignoring me but talk to him?" Ron asked Hermione, a frown on his freckled face.
"Because he's my friend and doesn't act like git," Hermione said bluntly.
Ron rolled his eyes. "He's a nothing, a waste of a hero." He scoffed.
"Ronald, so help me..." Hermione gritted her teeth.
"Well he is! He tricked all of us!"
"I did not!" Cassius yelled.
"Avis!"
Suddenly a flock of small, twittering birds erupted from Hermione's wand and attacked Ron.
"Ahh!" Ron began batting them away, running down the hallway to try and escape them.
Cassius burst into laughter. "That was brilliant, Hermione!"
"He deserved it," Hermione huffed, her eyes twinkling.
/
Cassius shook out his hand for the third time. Between working on his homework, lines and essay his fingers were going to cramp. Draco had given him more books on becoming Animagi and he was to write all the dangers that could happen during the initial transformation process. His detentions with Snape so far had been cleaning cauldrons and vials. He sighed and pushed his book away. He didn't want to do anymore reading and writing.
"I know you're not done," Draco commented from where he sat doing his own work.
"Just taking a little break," Cassius said, looking at Draco hopefully.
Draco chuckled and put his quill down. "All right. Let's take a break." He motioned for Cassius to stand up. "I want you to try and transform."
"Really?" Cassius bit his lip. "I'm kinda scared to, after what happened." he admitted.
"I figured. It's better to get over that fear now," Draco said. "Come on, just try. Picture your animal. Give yourself over to your panther."
Cassius stood still and focused, picturing his panther cub. He remembered seeing his own paws the first time, even though he had been in pain.
"Well, look how cute you are."
Cassius looked up. His eyes widened. He was a panther! He tried taking a step, stumbling a bit as he wasn't used to having four legs.
"Go slowly," Draco encouraged. "There you go. Good cub."
Soon Cassius was running around the sitting room. He turned and gave a mock growl to Draco, playfully running at him. Draco instantly changed and Cassius bumped into the big panther. Draco gave a snort as Cassius bounced back and sprawled of the floor. He nuzzled his cub with his nose, purring loudly.
Cassius did the same and then ran around Draco, batting at his brother's tail. Draco sat and looked on indulgently, swishing his tail anytime Cassius almost caught it. Cassius soon got bored and then trotted around the room, nudging the papers on the coffee table. He spotted the feather quill and hopped up, trying to paw at it.
Draco gave a short growl and used one of his large front paws to push him away from the table.
Cassius gave a whining mewling sound and butted his head against Draco's leg. Draco bent down and picked Cassius up by the back of his neck with his mouth and carried him away from the coffee table. Putting his brother down, he transformed back into human. "Okay, Cass. Time to shift back."
Cassius looked up at him, giving another mewling sound.
"You can do it. Remember who you are," Draco coaxed.
It took a couple of minutes but Cassius managed to shift back to human. "Whoa," he said.
Draco held his arm, in case he felt unsteady. "How do you feel?"
"Good," Cassius grinned. "That was so brilliant!"
"Except for you going after my quill," Draco teased, ruffling his hair. His brother was an adorable cub.
"Can we do that again sometime?" Cassius asked tentatively.
Draco sat back down to his homework. "We can. Now our break is over, time to go back to work."
Cassius sighed dejectedly and sat back down. "Too much writing," he mumbled.
"Maybe next time you'll think about the consequences before you act," Draco said lightly, his eyes on his own work.
Cassius rolled his eyes.
"I saw that."
Cassius's mouth dropped open. "How? You're not even looking at me."
"Big brother radar," Draco glanced up. "Time to get back to work, Cass."
"Yes, Draco," Cassius said, picking up his quill.
"Perhaps we'll play some chess after dinner."
Cassius's eyes brightened. "Yeah?"
"If you get back to work with no whining," Draco said.
"I don't whine!" Cassius flinched as his voice definitely did sound whiny. "Maybe I should just change into a cub and stay that way. I'll cause less trouble as a panther."
"Hmm," Draco said thoughtfully. "One problem, I'd miss talking and joking with you too much."
Cassius smiled. "Even though I'm whiny?" he teased.
"Yes, I'd miss even that. Now, enough stalling," Draco pointed at Cassius. "Back to work, little brother."
/
"The Fire Protection Potion," Draco announced. He was once again teaching Cass's class, this time without Snape's supervision. "This potion is used to move through flames unscathed. Who can tell me what sensation it induces when ingested?" His eyes moved to Emrys Wright and Alfie Cooper. Cassius hadn't said who had been talking about him but it was easy to deduce it was those two. They were the closest Gryffindors sitting next to his brother. "Mr. Wright?"
Emrys froze. "Ummm..."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "It was in the assigned reading. You do know how to read, do you not?"
"Yes sir," Emrys muttered. "It, um, a hot one?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "No. Five points from Gryffindor for wasting my time and being stupid. Mr. Cooper? Do you know the answer?"
Alfie shook his head.
"Did you read the chapter that had been assigned?"
"Um, not really," Alfie said.
"Of course not. I suppose it is asking too much to come prepared for class," Draco said in an annoyed voice. "Five points for not doing your homework, Mr. Cooper." He looked around the class. "Mr. Thormund?"
"It induces a sensation of ice in the drinker," Jason answered.
"Correct," Draco said, giving the two Gryffindors a withering look. "Five points to Slytherin. Who can name an ingredient used in this potion? Mr. Malfoy?"
"Wartcap powder, sir," Cassius answered.
"Correct. Five points, Mr. Malfoy," Draco said approvingly.
"What a shock, his brother gets points," Alfie grumbled.
"What was that?" Draco swooped over and loomed over Alfie. "What did you say?"
"Uh, um," Alfie stammered. Merlin, Malfoy was as intimidating as Snape!
"Detention Mr. Cooper," Draco snapped. He continued his lecture and then set the students to making their potion.
This time Cassius was able to pay attention and effectively tuned out Alfie and Emrys snide comments. He worked diligently on his potion, grinning when he finished and his potion was the correct shade of red.
"Good job, Cass," Draco murmured as he passed by him, making his brother beam in happiness.
/
Draco had been pressured by the Slytherin team to play in the upcoming match, but he felt bad doing so when Cass was still on restriction. He briefly thought about letting Cass at least watch the game but decided against it. The punishment had to stand if it was going to do any good. Slytherin was playing Gryffindor and petty as it was, he wanted to demolish them. He decided to ask Hermione to watch his brother, he knew she couldn't care less about Quidditch.
"Sure, I don't mind," Hermione said. "I need to study anyway."
"Cass will need to finish his homework and put some more time into the essay I gave him," Draco informed her with a sigh.
"Okay," Hermione studied him for a moment. "You feel bad, don't you? That you grounded him."
Draco nodded ruefully. "Yeah, I do."
"It must be difficult," Hermione said sympathetically. "To have to punish him."
"It really is," Draco said. "It hurts me as much as him, if that makes any sense."
"It does," Hermione said softly.
"Seriously? Now you're hanging with him?" Ron stormed up to them and grabbed Hermione's arm to pull her away.
"Ouch! Ron!" Hermione protested.
Draco pointed his wand at Ron's throat. "Let her go," he said dangerously.
Ron froze and let Hermione go, eyeing Draco's wand warily.
"You brute, you think you're so great? Do you see me manhandling women?" Draco growled.
Ron looked to Hermione, who was rubbing her arm and regret flickered in his eyes. "Whatever. She wants to hang with losers like you and your brother, then fine." he muttered before walking away.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked, gently taking her arm and examining the faint finger marks. "I should transfigure him into a real weasel."
Hermione laughed lightly. "I'm fine. And I might just do that myself."
TBC: