A/N: These chapters just keep on coming, don't they?
***
Chapter 7
The joke shop continued it's spectacular success for the rest of the week. Harry and the others didn't lose sleep over it anymore. They were too exhausted. The store required constant attention, until they got their letters from Hogwarts. "What's wrong, Harry?" Ginny asked upon seeing the preoccupied look on his face. He shook his head.
"I just remembered that Cassandra will be returning to her school," he replied.
"What school is that?" she inquired.
"I don't know. That's part of the problem," Harry scowled.
"Why don't you owl her at Mrs. Figg's house?" she suggested. Harry smiled suddenly.
"I'll do that. Thanks, Ginny."
Harry went upstairs and scribbled a quick note to Cassandra:
Dear Cassandra,
Sorry, I didn't write when I said I would. Fred and George's joke shop was a huge hit. You wouldn't believe how many customers we had! I was too exhausted to write. School's starting soon. I guess that means I won't see you anymore. That doesn't mean I can't owl you, does it? What school do you go to? Normally Hedwig's pretty good with deliveries, but I'm not sure if she can find Muggle schools that easily. Write soon.
Your Friend,
Harry
He read it over twice. It looked okay. It wasn't too friendly or too apologetic. He let Hedwig out of her cage and tied the note to her leg. He took her to the window and let her go. He closed the window and prayed Cassandra was still staying with Mrs. Figg.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"You look kinda out of it," Ron said.
"Huh?" Harry said, rousing himself from his thoughts.
"Does this have something to do with that letter you got?" Hermione asked. Harry tore his eyes away from the window. Nothing too interesting was happening there anyway. In a short while, he and his friends would be starting a new term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were on the train right now.
"Yes," he replied. "Yes, it does." There was a brief silence.
"Harry, I think that was your cue to explain," Ron said. Harry smiled briefly.
"I sent Cassandra a note,"- Hermione made some kind of angry noise. Harry ignored it. "- And she didn't reply."
"Maybe she went home already," Ron said with a shrug.
"Mrs. Figg too?" Harry asked.
"What do you mean?" inquired Hermione.
"I didn't get any kind of response. The letter Hedwig brought back yesterday was the one I sent," Harry replied scowling.
"I'm sure that doesn't mean anything," Ginny replied softly.
"You're probably right, Ginny," Hermione said.
"Why aren't you sitting with the prefects?" Harry asked her suddenly.
"How did you-" she began.
"Come on, Hermione. Anyone who's ever doubted you would become a prefect has mental issues," Ron interrupted. Hermione blushed.
"It doesn't really matter anyway. We're nearly at Hogwarts now," she said.
She was right, but then again, Hermione was always right. In a short while the regular announcement was made requesting that all students leave their luggage on the train. Soon after that, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Getting off the train he saw Hagrid gathering the first years and he smiled as Hagrid waved at him. Harry returned the wave. Hagrid was enormous with wild black hair and a beard. He looked very fierce but was actually quite softhearted. He caught a glimpse of a face in the crowd of first years that seemed familiar. It looked like Cassandra. Harry blinked and shook his head. Now he was hallucinating. He knew perfectly well that girl wasn't Cassandra, but he could still - Nah! Even that was stupid.
Harry and everyone else went to the Great Hall and sat down at their house tables. The enchanted ceiling had the same pale glow of the sky after the sun has just set. There were even a few stars shining. The ragged-looking Sorting Hat was placed on a three-legged stool in front of the house tables. A large door opened and some nervous first years walked in single-file.
Harry glanced at the staff table. Professor Dumbledore sat in the middle with his long white beard and very crooked nose. Professor Flitwick sat on several pillows. Professor Sprout sat to the left of Dumbledore. Hagrid set next to Professor Sprout. Professor Snape was also there. "Oh, man," Ron groaned. "Every year I pray that Snape gets fired or eaten or something and yet he always comes back just as nasty as ever." Harry smiled. He knew how Ron felt. Snape utterly despised him. There was also a new face at the table- a very familiar face to Harry. She sat next to Hagrid. Her eyes met Harry's and she winked.
"That's Mrs. Figg!" Harry exclaimed.
"Huh? Where?" Hermione asked.
"At the staff table," Harry said, "next to Hagrid."
"Well, now we know why she didn't get your letter," Ginny said.
Harry lapsed into thought and was oblivious to the world. "Figg, Cassandra!" Professor McGonagall called.
"What?" exclaimed Hermione and Ron together. Harry stood up. Sure enough, Cassandra strode calmly across to the stool and sat down with grace. Harry's heart jumped. This can't be happening, this can't be happening, he thought to himself over and over. But it was. "GRYFFINDOR!" yelled the hat. There was much noise as the Gryffindors applauded loudly- Harry included.
Cassandra took a seat across from Harry. "Harry!" she exclaimed taking his hand. She beamed at him. "I'm so glad to see you! You have no idea how much of a shock it is to be here!"
"You have no idea how shocked I am to see you here- or how glad," he added beaming in return.
"Ahem," coughed Hermione. Harry looked startled, then guilty.
"Cassandra, this is Hermione Granger," he said.
"Pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you. According to Harry, you're like Einstein with a wand, only prettier of course," Cassandra said, shaking hands with Hermione. Hermione blushed and beamed at Cassandra. Harry didn't remember saying anything like that. Ron elbowed Harry.
"This is Ron Weasley," he said wincing.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard all about you. You must be awfully smart to defeat McGonagall's chest set. Auntie says she's very clever. You must be very brave too," she said, her smile radiant. Harry couldn't blame Ron for staring at her and turning red around the ears.
"I've heard a lot about you too, but Harry never mentioned you were gorgeous," Ron said. Cassandra swooped down on Ron and kissed him on the forehead.
"I like you," she laughed. Ron just grinned and turned very, very red.
"Honestly," Hermione muttered.
"Are you with the first years?" Harry asked her. Cassandra shook her head.
"No, I'm with the fifth years."
"How?" Hermione asked, amazed.
"Special circumstances. Auntie arranged everything with Professor Dumbledore. A very nice man, he is. He said he'd let me in with the fifth years if I passed all the necessary exams."
"And?" Harry prompted.
"And I passed them, so here I am," she said, tossing her hair. She accidentally hit Seamus Finnigan, who rubbed his sandy hair.
"Ouch," he said. Cassandra smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Oh, it's alright," he said quickly. "No harm done." Cassandra smiled thankfully.
The next morning at breakfast, schedules were passed out. "What classes did you sign up for?" Harry asked Cassandra. Cassandra stopped fidgeting with her sleeves and thought for a minute.
"I signed up for Care of Magical Creatures, Study of Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Divination," she replied.
"Divination? Poor you, our teacher's an airhead," Ron said. She smiled kindly at him.
"I know. I met her. I had to take it. It was part of the special circumstances," she said.
"Ah, I see you're still here, Potter. I'm surprised they haven't expelled you yet," a bored drawling voice said behind Harry. Harry didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"Are you, Malfoy? I'm surprised that's the best insult you can come up with. That's a new low, even for you," said Harry.
"He's right, Malfoy. That was pretty bad, for you. What gives?" Ron asked. Malfoy looked Ron up and down slowly.
"Congratulations, Weasley. Your robes actually fit you this year. Did you have to sell a kidney to afford them? Or were they provided by a charity to help the hopelessly pathetic?" Malfoy said with a sneer.
"I think you're losing your touch Malfoy. That was surprisingly unfunny," harry responded coolly.
"I appreciate your honesty, Potter. I must try harder next time," Malfoy replied, looking unruffled.
"They say practice makes perfect, but I dare say you no longer need to practice being cold and heartless," Harry retorted.
"Perhaps," Malfoy said, leaving.
"That was odd," Hermione said.
"Yes, it was. It wasn't like Malfoy at all," Harry said.
"Since when did start caring about Malfoy?" Ron asked, looking irritated.
"Since never," Harry said, looking around. "Where's Cassandra?"
"I don't know," Ron said. "She was here a minute ago."
Harry's first day back at Hogwarts was marred by only one thing: He didn't make it past his first class. He just left Professor Flitwick's class after learning a bubble head charm that would have served him a whole lot better last year in the Triwizard Tournament. He was on his way outside to meet Hagrid for Care of Magical Creature when everything went black.
He woke up in the hospital wing with a huge headache. "Anybody got an aspirin? My head hurts like hell," he asked to no one in particular.
"That will happen when Peeves drops a large piece of furniture on you," Dumbledore said wistfully. Harry jumped.
"What?"
"It appears that Peeves got a little crazy and decided to drop a wardrobe on you," Professor Dumbledore said. "Fortunately, Professor McGonagall arrived jut in time to stop it from landing on you full force, or you and I would not be having this nice conversation."
"You mean Peeves tried to kill me?" Harry gasped, not quite comprehending yet.
"It would appear so," Dumbledore replied softly. Harry could feel the anger radiating off Dumbledore.
"Why?"
"He doesn't appear to have an explanation for his actions."
"He just decided to crush my head in by dropping a closet on me to see what kind of pretty patterns my brain would make on the carpet?" Harry yelled.
"Something like that. He has been exorcised," Dumbledore said. Harry was silent for a moment. "Madame Pomfrey says you can resume your schedule tomorrow."
"Thank you," he mumbled. Dumbledore left. Harry threw himself back against his pillows. "Why can't I just go one year with out someone trying to kill me?"
Cassandra took a chair across from Harry, Ron and Hermione at breakfast. "Hi guys," she chirped. "Are you okay?" she asked Harry.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. "How was your first day?" Cassandra's eyes widened.
"I love this place!" she cried. "Though, I did get lost dozens of times. I didn't see how I was going to make it to Care of Magical Creatures, but some boy in our class helped me. You probably know him."
"What's his name?" Hermione asked. Cassandra paused for a moment.
"I don't remember," she confessed.
"What did he look like?" asked Harry.
"He was blond."
"That's helpful," Ron muttered. Cassandra didn't hear him.
"What was his name?" she asked herself. "It was very unusual. Started with a d. Drew? No. Duane? Drake?"
"Draco?" offered Hermione. Cassandra's eyes lit up.
"Yes! That was his name!" she cried gleefully. Ron choked on his toast.
"W-what?" he sputtered. "Draco Malfoy helped you?"
"Yes. He was ever so nice. What's wrong with you three?' she asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had collapsed against each other in a fit of laughter.
"Draco Malfoy- nice! Now I've heard everything!" Harry laughed.
"What's wrong with that?" Cassandra asked huffily.
"Just listen to it: Draco Malfoy was ever so nice," Ron said, imitating Cassandra's voice. She glared at him. Harry sensed trouble.
"Look," Harry said, trying to keep a straight face, "we've known Malfoy for years and he has never, ever done anything nice." Cassandra relaxed and appeared thoughtful.
"He might surprise you," she remarked.
After breakfast, Gryffindors had Potions with the Slytherins. Potions was always Harry's least favorite class, but that was only because Snape, the Potions master, did everything he could to make Harry's life miserable. Harry took his usual seat next to Ron. Hermione partnered with Neville Longbottom, a very forgetful boy who was starting to loose his roundness. Cassandra walked in and flashed a quick smile at Harry and Ron before taking a seat at an empty table.
The Slytherins filed in and took their seats. Ron nudged Harry with his elbow. "Look!" he hissed. Harry turned his head to see Malfoy abandoning Crabbe and Goyle, his bulky, dimwitted sidekicks, to sit with Cassandra.
Snape took a look at his list of names. "Ah," he said with a glitter in his eye, "we have a new student." Harry shot Ron a worried glance. Last time Snape had that look, he had cross-examined Harry and made him look like an idiot. "Miss Figg," Snape continued, "what would I get if I mixed an infusion of wormwood with powdered asphodel?" Harry started. Snape had asked him that same question in his first year.
"A very powerful sleeping draught," she replied.
"What's the main ingredient in any poison antidote?"
"A bezoar," she answered.
"What are the twelve uses of dragon's blood?" Snape questioned fiercely. Cassandra took a breath and named all twelve with only a slight hesitation. Harry crossed his fingers. To his astonishment, Snape smiled slightly. "Very good, Miss Figg. One point to Gryffindor." The entire class gasped. Cassandra flushed a little and looked down.
Snape gave them their instructions and they set about making a sleeping potion. "Argh!" Harry exclaimed as he cut himself. Ron turned to look. "I can't take much more of this!" Harry said, turning to glare at Cassandra and Malfoy. Ron made a face.
"Isn't it sickening? If I hear one more giggle, I'm going to hex both of them," Ron threatened. Harry nodded agreement. A few moments later, Cassandra and Malfoy started laughing again. Ron reached for his wand. BOOM!
The contents of Neville's cauldron exploded, splattering everywhere. Harry and Ron ducked to avoid the rain of red liquid, which should have been purple anyway. Unfortunately whatever it was Neville made caused the other cauldrons to go off one after the other. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! There was chaos as people ran around the room, tripping over those who had been hit by the sleeping potion. "Everyone out! " Snape called. "Get as many sleepers as you can!"
Harry and Ron grabbed Hermione and pulled her out of the dungeons. Seamus and Dean Thomas were dragging Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Boom! Another cauldron went off. "Look!" Seamus said jerking his head towards the doorway. Harry and Ron dropped Hermione at the shock of seeing a sleeping Cassandra supported by Draco Malfoy as he staggered out of the dungeon.
***
Oops! Never let Neville near a cauldron. He has such awful luck with those things! ^_^
Luv ya-
Silver
***
Chapter 7
The joke shop continued it's spectacular success for the rest of the week. Harry and the others didn't lose sleep over it anymore. They were too exhausted. The store required constant attention, until they got their letters from Hogwarts. "What's wrong, Harry?" Ginny asked upon seeing the preoccupied look on his face. He shook his head.
"I just remembered that Cassandra will be returning to her school," he replied.
"What school is that?" she inquired.
"I don't know. That's part of the problem," Harry scowled.
"Why don't you owl her at Mrs. Figg's house?" she suggested. Harry smiled suddenly.
"I'll do that. Thanks, Ginny."
Harry went upstairs and scribbled a quick note to Cassandra:
Dear Cassandra,
Sorry, I didn't write when I said I would. Fred and George's joke shop was a huge hit. You wouldn't believe how many customers we had! I was too exhausted to write. School's starting soon. I guess that means I won't see you anymore. That doesn't mean I can't owl you, does it? What school do you go to? Normally Hedwig's pretty good with deliveries, but I'm not sure if she can find Muggle schools that easily. Write soon.
Your Friend,
Harry
He read it over twice. It looked okay. It wasn't too friendly or too apologetic. He let Hedwig out of her cage and tied the note to her leg. He took her to the window and let her go. He closed the window and prayed Cassandra was still staying with Mrs. Figg.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"You look kinda out of it," Ron said.
"Huh?" Harry said, rousing himself from his thoughts.
"Does this have something to do with that letter you got?" Hermione asked. Harry tore his eyes away from the window. Nothing too interesting was happening there anyway. In a short while, he and his friends would be starting a new term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were on the train right now.
"Yes," he replied. "Yes, it does." There was a brief silence.
"Harry, I think that was your cue to explain," Ron said. Harry smiled briefly.
"I sent Cassandra a note,"- Hermione made some kind of angry noise. Harry ignored it. "- And she didn't reply."
"Maybe she went home already," Ron said with a shrug.
"Mrs. Figg too?" Harry asked.
"What do you mean?" inquired Hermione.
"I didn't get any kind of response. The letter Hedwig brought back yesterday was the one I sent," Harry replied scowling.
"I'm sure that doesn't mean anything," Ginny replied softly.
"You're probably right, Ginny," Hermione said.
"Why aren't you sitting with the prefects?" Harry asked her suddenly.
"How did you-" she began.
"Come on, Hermione. Anyone who's ever doubted you would become a prefect has mental issues," Ron interrupted. Hermione blushed.
"It doesn't really matter anyway. We're nearly at Hogwarts now," she said.
She was right, but then again, Hermione was always right. In a short while the regular announcement was made requesting that all students leave their luggage on the train. Soon after that, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Getting off the train he saw Hagrid gathering the first years and he smiled as Hagrid waved at him. Harry returned the wave. Hagrid was enormous with wild black hair and a beard. He looked very fierce but was actually quite softhearted. He caught a glimpse of a face in the crowd of first years that seemed familiar. It looked like Cassandra. Harry blinked and shook his head. Now he was hallucinating. He knew perfectly well that girl wasn't Cassandra, but he could still - Nah! Even that was stupid.
Harry and everyone else went to the Great Hall and sat down at their house tables. The enchanted ceiling had the same pale glow of the sky after the sun has just set. There were even a few stars shining. The ragged-looking Sorting Hat was placed on a three-legged stool in front of the house tables. A large door opened and some nervous first years walked in single-file.
Harry glanced at the staff table. Professor Dumbledore sat in the middle with his long white beard and very crooked nose. Professor Flitwick sat on several pillows. Professor Sprout sat to the left of Dumbledore. Hagrid set next to Professor Sprout. Professor Snape was also there. "Oh, man," Ron groaned. "Every year I pray that Snape gets fired or eaten or something and yet he always comes back just as nasty as ever." Harry smiled. He knew how Ron felt. Snape utterly despised him. There was also a new face at the table- a very familiar face to Harry. She sat next to Hagrid. Her eyes met Harry's and she winked.
"That's Mrs. Figg!" Harry exclaimed.
"Huh? Where?" Hermione asked.
"At the staff table," Harry said, "next to Hagrid."
"Well, now we know why she didn't get your letter," Ginny said.
Harry lapsed into thought and was oblivious to the world. "Figg, Cassandra!" Professor McGonagall called.
"What?" exclaimed Hermione and Ron together. Harry stood up. Sure enough, Cassandra strode calmly across to the stool and sat down with grace. Harry's heart jumped. This can't be happening, this can't be happening, he thought to himself over and over. But it was. "GRYFFINDOR!" yelled the hat. There was much noise as the Gryffindors applauded loudly- Harry included.
Cassandra took a seat across from Harry. "Harry!" she exclaimed taking his hand. She beamed at him. "I'm so glad to see you! You have no idea how much of a shock it is to be here!"
"You have no idea how shocked I am to see you here- or how glad," he added beaming in return.
"Ahem," coughed Hermione. Harry looked startled, then guilty.
"Cassandra, this is Hermione Granger," he said.
"Pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you. According to Harry, you're like Einstein with a wand, only prettier of course," Cassandra said, shaking hands with Hermione. Hermione blushed and beamed at Cassandra. Harry didn't remember saying anything like that. Ron elbowed Harry.
"This is Ron Weasley," he said wincing.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard all about you. You must be awfully smart to defeat McGonagall's chest set. Auntie says she's very clever. You must be very brave too," she said, her smile radiant. Harry couldn't blame Ron for staring at her and turning red around the ears.
"I've heard a lot about you too, but Harry never mentioned you were gorgeous," Ron said. Cassandra swooped down on Ron and kissed him on the forehead.
"I like you," she laughed. Ron just grinned and turned very, very red.
"Honestly," Hermione muttered.
"Are you with the first years?" Harry asked her. Cassandra shook her head.
"No, I'm with the fifth years."
"How?" Hermione asked, amazed.
"Special circumstances. Auntie arranged everything with Professor Dumbledore. A very nice man, he is. He said he'd let me in with the fifth years if I passed all the necessary exams."
"And?" Harry prompted.
"And I passed them, so here I am," she said, tossing her hair. She accidentally hit Seamus Finnigan, who rubbed his sandy hair.
"Ouch," he said. Cassandra smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Oh, it's alright," he said quickly. "No harm done." Cassandra smiled thankfully.
The next morning at breakfast, schedules were passed out. "What classes did you sign up for?" Harry asked Cassandra. Cassandra stopped fidgeting with her sleeves and thought for a minute.
"I signed up for Care of Magical Creatures, Study of Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Divination," she replied.
"Divination? Poor you, our teacher's an airhead," Ron said. She smiled kindly at him.
"I know. I met her. I had to take it. It was part of the special circumstances," she said.
"Ah, I see you're still here, Potter. I'm surprised they haven't expelled you yet," a bored drawling voice said behind Harry. Harry didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"Are you, Malfoy? I'm surprised that's the best insult you can come up with. That's a new low, even for you," said Harry.
"He's right, Malfoy. That was pretty bad, for you. What gives?" Ron asked. Malfoy looked Ron up and down slowly.
"Congratulations, Weasley. Your robes actually fit you this year. Did you have to sell a kidney to afford them? Or were they provided by a charity to help the hopelessly pathetic?" Malfoy said with a sneer.
"I think you're losing your touch Malfoy. That was surprisingly unfunny," harry responded coolly.
"I appreciate your honesty, Potter. I must try harder next time," Malfoy replied, looking unruffled.
"They say practice makes perfect, but I dare say you no longer need to practice being cold and heartless," Harry retorted.
"Perhaps," Malfoy said, leaving.
"That was odd," Hermione said.
"Yes, it was. It wasn't like Malfoy at all," Harry said.
"Since when did start caring about Malfoy?" Ron asked, looking irritated.
"Since never," Harry said, looking around. "Where's Cassandra?"
"I don't know," Ron said. "She was here a minute ago."
Harry's first day back at Hogwarts was marred by only one thing: He didn't make it past his first class. He just left Professor Flitwick's class after learning a bubble head charm that would have served him a whole lot better last year in the Triwizard Tournament. He was on his way outside to meet Hagrid for Care of Magical Creature when everything went black.
He woke up in the hospital wing with a huge headache. "Anybody got an aspirin? My head hurts like hell," he asked to no one in particular.
"That will happen when Peeves drops a large piece of furniture on you," Dumbledore said wistfully. Harry jumped.
"What?"
"It appears that Peeves got a little crazy and decided to drop a wardrobe on you," Professor Dumbledore said. "Fortunately, Professor McGonagall arrived jut in time to stop it from landing on you full force, or you and I would not be having this nice conversation."
"You mean Peeves tried to kill me?" Harry gasped, not quite comprehending yet.
"It would appear so," Dumbledore replied softly. Harry could feel the anger radiating off Dumbledore.
"Why?"
"He doesn't appear to have an explanation for his actions."
"He just decided to crush my head in by dropping a closet on me to see what kind of pretty patterns my brain would make on the carpet?" Harry yelled.
"Something like that. He has been exorcised," Dumbledore said. Harry was silent for a moment. "Madame Pomfrey says you can resume your schedule tomorrow."
"Thank you," he mumbled. Dumbledore left. Harry threw himself back against his pillows. "Why can't I just go one year with out someone trying to kill me?"
Cassandra took a chair across from Harry, Ron and Hermione at breakfast. "Hi guys," she chirped. "Are you okay?" she asked Harry.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. "How was your first day?" Cassandra's eyes widened.
"I love this place!" she cried. "Though, I did get lost dozens of times. I didn't see how I was going to make it to Care of Magical Creatures, but some boy in our class helped me. You probably know him."
"What's his name?" Hermione asked. Cassandra paused for a moment.
"I don't remember," she confessed.
"What did he look like?" asked Harry.
"He was blond."
"That's helpful," Ron muttered. Cassandra didn't hear him.
"What was his name?" she asked herself. "It was very unusual. Started with a d. Drew? No. Duane? Drake?"
"Draco?" offered Hermione. Cassandra's eyes lit up.
"Yes! That was his name!" she cried gleefully. Ron choked on his toast.
"W-what?" he sputtered. "Draco Malfoy helped you?"
"Yes. He was ever so nice. What's wrong with you three?' she asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had collapsed against each other in a fit of laughter.
"Draco Malfoy- nice! Now I've heard everything!" Harry laughed.
"What's wrong with that?" Cassandra asked huffily.
"Just listen to it: Draco Malfoy was ever so nice," Ron said, imitating Cassandra's voice. She glared at him. Harry sensed trouble.
"Look," Harry said, trying to keep a straight face, "we've known Malfoy for years and he has never, ever done anything nice." Cassandra relaxed and appeared thoughtful.
"He might surprise you," she remarked.
After breakfast, Gryffindors had Potions with the Slytherins. Potions was always Harry's least favorite class, but that was only because Snape, the Potions master, did everything he could to make Harry's life miserable. Harry took his usual seat next to Ron. Hermione partnered with Neville Longbottom, a very forgetful boy who was starting to loose his roundness. Cassandra walked in and flashed a quick smile at Harry and Ron before taking a seat at an empty table.
The Slytherins filed in and took their seats. Ron nudged Harry with his elbow. "Look!" he hissed. Harry turned his head to see Malfoy abandoning Crabbe and Goyle, his bulky, dimwitted sidekicks, to sit with Cassandra.
Snape took a look at his list of names. "Ah," he said with a glitter in his eye, "we have a new student." Harry shot Ron a worried glance. Last time Snape had that look, he had cross-examined Harry and made him look like an idiot. "Miss Figg," Snape continued, "what would I get if I mixed an infusion of wormwood with powdered asphodel?" Harry started. Snape had asked him that same question in his first year.
"A very powerful sleeping draught," she replied.
"What's the main ingredient in any poison antidote?"
"A bezoar," she answered.
"What are the twelve uses of dragon's blood?" Snape questioned fiercely. Cassandra took a breath and named all twelve with only a slight hesitation. Harry crossed his fingers. To his astonishment, Snape smiled slightly. "Very good, Miss Figg. One point to Gryffindor." The entire class gasped. Cassandra flushed a little and looked down.
Snape gave them their instructions and they set about making a sleeping potion. "Argh!" Harry exclaimed as he cut himself. Ron turned to look. "I can't take much more of this!" Harry said, turning to glare at Cassandra and Malfoy. Ron made a face.
"Isn't it sickening? If I hear one more giggle, I'm going to hex both of them," Ron threatened. Harry nodded agreement. A few moments later, Cassandra and Malfoy started laughing again. Ron reached for his wand. BOOM!
The contents of Neville's cauldron exploded, splattering everywhere. Harry and Ron ducked to avoid the rain of red liquid, which should have been purple anyway. Unfortunately whatever it was Neville made caused the other cauldrons to go off one after the other. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! There was chaos as people ran around the room, tripping over those who had been hit by the sleeping potion. "Everyone out! " Snape called. "Get as many sleepers as you can!"
Harry and Ron grabbed Hermione and pulled her out of the dungeons. Seamus and Dean Thomas were dragging Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Boom! Another cauldron went off. "Look!" Seamus said jerking his head towards the doorway. Harry and Ron dropped Hermione at the shock of seeing a sleeping Cassandra supported by Draco Malfoy as he staggered out of the dungeon.
***
Oops! Never let Neville near a cauldron. He has such awful luck with those things! ^_^
Luv ya-
Silver