March 3, 1976 - Hogwarts

"They told you not to tell me, yes?"

She didn't bother with her usual greetings, frustration and exhaustion bleeding into her tone. Leaning against the shelves, she brought a hand to her temple, hoping to quell the dull, pounding pain in her head as she waited for Remus to notice her words.

"What?" the boy muttered indistinctly, eyes glued to his work. When she stayed silent, he lifted his gaze, eyes lighting up as he recognised who she was. "Cassie!"

Her jaw tightened, even this whispered shout causing a flare of pain behind her eyes. "Your friends. They told you not to tell me about the map."

For a second he stared at her dumbly, as though he could not comprehend her words, before his whole demeanour dropped, his eyes falling to his lap.

"Yes," he mumbled after a moment, his cheeks flushing red.

She closed her eyes, the answer expected, but unpleasant to hear nonetheless. "Remus. I can't do this. I want to be your friend. I care about you. But, don't you see? It's always them over us." She pursed her lips briefly, her next words unplanned, "If Sirius tried to murder me would you still stand by his side?"

"No, of course not," Remus answered, his eyes flying to meet hers, expression outraged.

She exhaled, her response tired, "Well he has." His disbelieving gaze tempted her to continue, to add 'with you as his executioner' to her sentence, but - he didn't need to know. However frustrated she was with his behaviour, she would not hurt him in this way. "Think about that," she said instead, after a long pause. "I don't want to give you an ultimatum, either me or them, but I - I just can't Remus. I just can't."

"Cassie - "

"No, Remus," she interrupted him, more gently than she thought she could. "Think on it. If you cannot bear to cut contact - alright. I'll cherish the time we spent as friends. And if you decide to turn your back on them, I'll welcome you with open arms. Please, think on it deeply before you decide. I just don't think I can have this weighing on my mind."

She turned from him and left, unwilling to stay and watch his inner turmoil play out so clearly across his face.

"Alright?" Severus asked quietly as she came over to him, looking her over with concern. He moved to make space for her on the sofa, and she sank down onto it gratefully, closing her eyes.

"I'm fine," she mumbled into the leather, feeling Severus shift closer so as to not miss her words. "Headache."

He made a noise of understanding. "Anything I can do?"

"No, s'alright," she murmured, bringing her knees to her chest. "Just stay."

March 5, 1976 - Hogwarts

Cassiopeia ran her hand through the messy plait of her hair, staring at the new, empty parchment for what felt like the hundredth time. The text of her letters to the Dark Lord used to flow easily - never warranting more than one or two re-writes until her anxiety over the precise words and tone had eased.

Now she'd been sitting on her bed for two hours, no closer to finishing than she had been when she'd started. It was as though she'd suddenly realised the true weight and impact that her words could have, and that awareness had blocked her ability to disclose her thoughts with any level of ease.

She dipped her quill into ink as a thought suddenly struck her, and taking a deep breath began once more. She'd write exactly what he wanted to hear.

Valens Gaunt -

I must convey my most sincere gratitude for your mercy and patience with me. I realise I have many shortcomings, and did not think before putting my thoughts to paper; it is actions such as these that are my greatest source of shame. If you allow me, I shall endeavour never to disobey in such a way again.

I am thankful that you have considered my ideas as well, as even such an action is more than I could ever ask for. I'm afraid that you are correct in that I have little knowledge of 'what must now take place,' and therefore cannot provide my most feasible proposals. However, if you would find it in you to enlighten me, I shall do anything and everything to prove myself to you.

Finally, if I may - and forgive me if this too is a transgression - could I enquire as to what had you so occupied? You are certainly accurate in saying that insight into your actions is something which I desperately seek.

My greatest apologies to you,

Cassiopeia

She left out a breath as she signed her name, laying down her quill, and rubbing her sore wrist with her hand. The simpering and sycophantic tone of her words made her wince, but it seemed something that the Dark Lord would like from her.

Mmm… alright, perhaps she was laying it on a bit thick. She'd re-word it a bit, or - a sudden smile appeared across her lips - she could ask Severus for help.

She revelled in the feeling of having someone to turn to again, and stood to get him from the common room.

•••

Apologies for publishing so late, I've been having problems with the site and are only managing to get this up now. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank-yous to everyone as usual, especially SilentMayhem and Stephanie MRV, and I'll see you all next week :)