Disclaimer:
Everyone except for Cassandra Caliga and Wisp ( her one eyed cat) belong to the delightful and talented JK Rowling. If not for her, I don't know what I would do when I can't sleep for nights on end. To all those kind enough to follow and review, it is greatly appreciated. I do not know where this is going to take my fave characters, let me know what you guys want to have happen between Snape /Caliga/Malfoy.. remember, I DON'T write slash, and Snape is totally hetro!!!
Writing is therapeutic and fun for me, I do it to blow off some steam. It warms my heart that people are actually reading my little story. Once again, I sign off with : I am simply a Harry Potter Fan in love with a Slytherin Man!!
XII
Though weaker than usual, Cassandra Caliga was pleased to rejoin her classes the next day. She felt a bit groggy at times, but chalked it up to over exhaustion and tried to ignore it and focus on her studies. Sitting in McGonangal's class and preparing to turn a turtle into a footstool, she kept catching herself glancing sideways to where Malfoy was sitting. He had been gone from the infirmary when she had awakened that morning, as had Snape. She assumed that one was saving face in his House, while the other had gone to organize lesson plans. Malfoy had been quieter than usual, none of the usual snide remarks or Gryffindor bashing he was so fond of. The injured arm was in a sling, making wand waving a challenge. Sparks were flying all around, and he was clearly getting agitated at this. Eyes unfocussed, he was glaring into the ceiling, clearly not thinking of the transfiguration at hand. Cassandra wondered at that, guessing what he might be thinking of, when she realized that she was doing the same thing as Malfoy. Shaking her head to clear her muddied thoughts, she went back to working on the poor turtle.
McGonagal, who had been wandering up and down the rows of benches helping out various students surveyed the two pale Slytherins closely. Snape had briefed all the professors at an impromptu teachers meeting that morning, debriefing them all on the students' respective situations, and warning them all to keep a close eye on Miss Caliga in case she had a 'funny turn' as he had called it. Minerva felt a twist of guilt in her guts, as she thought back on how hard she had been on the fifth year Prefect, harassing her about her slipping grades and lack of focus. Now that she was aware of what had caused it, she wondered at her insensitivity, having not noticed that the girl was sick before. Heaving out a heavy sigh, McGonagal was sure that had the student been in any house BUT Slytherin, she would have paid closer attention. Let that be a lesson to you, my girl, she thought to herself, inwardly offering a thousand apologies to the serious girl in front of her.
Thinking back to Snape's meeting, Minerva wondered if she was perhaps not the only one to have done some soul-searching the last few days. For the first time in recorded history, Severus Snape had actually asked the rest of the faculty to go easy on both of his students. The first time ever that he had asked for lenience for anyone, about anything. Very interesting. Snape was going soft after all these years. You never know, it might do him a turn of good. It might. Walking past the front bench, McGonagal stopped to help Neville Longbottom, whose brocade footstool was slowly crawling away on him.
When the class was dismissed, Cassandra was grateful that all she had to do was eat dinner and then go to bed. She was shocked at how rapidly her energy was leaving her, and slinging her bookbag over her shoulder she headed out into the crowded corridor, which looked like a sea of black robes and chattering voices. Forging out into the foray, she spun around sharply when a had was place don her shoulder. Expecting to see Professor Snape's towering figure, she was surprised to be looking eye to eye with Hermione Granger.
"Hey Caliga, couldn't you hear me? I've been calling you since class ended."
The wild haired girl questioned.
Now that she was standing directly in front of her, Cassandra wondered how she couldn't have heard the girls nasal voice. Shaking her head "no", Caliga felt that would suffice as an answer ,and hoped that the other girl would just go away,. She was running out of resources and fatiguing quickly.
"Well, anyhow, don't you think its high time we got started on our project? It's very major, and even though I would take my NEWTS Anyways, I would like to actually find the cure for our topic. We didn't do anything on it last night, as I couldn't find neither you nor Malfoy, and Harry was at Quidditch practice. If we don't watch it, we will be out of time before we know it!" Granger had finally run out of breath.
Eyebrows raised, Cassandra eyed the overexcited girl in front of her warily? Was she an idiot?
"Granger, it's only the end of January, and these are YEAR-END projects, so what is the big hurry? Possibly you have nothing better to do, but tonight is definitely out for me. I have a variety of other things which are more pressing to do, as does Malfoy." Cassandra continued to walk down the hallway, hoping Hermione would take the hint. Hearing his name, Draco turned around suspiciously and gave her a piercing look.
"How's that?" he growled at her
Hermione gave Cassandra a strange look, and she knew she was close to being caught on this little lie. Shifting uncomfortably under their gazes, Cassandra thought hard and quick.
"I was just explaining to Granger , Draco, about how you and I were both busy with other endeavors and thus cannot work on our Potions project tonight." She raised her eyebrows at him and sent a pointed look Draco's way. A look of understanding and then relief flooded the boy's face, and for the first time in a week, Draco smiled.
"Yeah. VERY busy. You and Potter feel free to go ahead and start, ok? Also, feel free to finish it as well. Damn Mud…" his voice trailed off, as he looked sharply over his shoulder to make sure Snape wasn't in earshot. He then turned on his heel and left the two girls standing there.
"Well" Said Cassandra finally " Have a good night then."
With that she followed Malfoy's footsteps back down to the bowels of the castle where their Dorm was. Calling out the password of "Purity", the common room materialized before her, though she continued through it and up a few steps to her private Prefects quarters. Entering the chambers, she smiled as her little gray cat., one-eyed mongrel that he was, leapt lightly off the bed and strutted over to her. Jumping gently up onto her shoulders and purring loudly. Such a big purr from such a little guy, she thought , stroking him idly. He jumped back down onto the bed again, and winked at her lazily. Cassandra had to agree, the bed did look particularly comfortable in this moment. Another wave of exhaustion rippled through her, causing her physically to sway.
"Maybe just for a moment," she spoke quietly to the kitten, and he responded by luxuriously stretching out across the bed. Unclipping her robes, she dropped down on top of the comforter, and was asleep before she even hit the pillow.
She was awakened some time later by a sharp rapping at the door, and an even sharper voice calling her name. Fumbling around in the pitch blackness, she tried to light a candle with her wand, nearly setting her drapes on fire instead.
"Miss Caliga!! Caliga, are you in there?" and then " Cassandra?" in a softer tone. The voice sounded familiar, but the tone didn't seem right.
Cassandra hurried over to the door, tripping over her robes laying where they were thrown. Feeling around, she found the door handle and swung it open. Standing there was a rather agitated and flustered Professor Snape, not looking his usual smooth collected self. She blinked up at him with bleary eyes, trying hard to adjust them to the torchlight outside. Why would he come to my dorm, of all things? She thought in surprise.
"what time is it sir, am I late for class?" She asked, truly bewildered.
He fairly snorted at her. " not quite. It's eight o'clock at night, and your presence was not noted in the Great Hall at dinner. I became, rather, worried when the other students said that they hadn't seen you since transfiguration." His tone changed, dropping down slightly as a concerned look entered his eyes " Are you alright, Cassandra?"
Snape lifted his hand to take her chin, wanting to look closely into her eyes. Pulling back, Cassandra was painfully aware that all he would see there would be a very thick fog, and very little brains.
" Oh, yes sir. Quite very alright, thank you. I am sorry to have distressed you needlessly. I was so very tired after my classes that I went to have a small nap before dinner, and clearly overslept." Cassandra gestured to the wrinkled bed covers on the bed behind her, as the little cat scowled up at them ,his sleep disturbed for the moment. Snape looked at her hard, and taking her wrist felt for her pulse.
"Seems fine then. Are you usually so tired after classes?" He was looking searchingly into her eyes again, and Cassandra realized that she might have said too much earlier.
"Oh, no, sir. It was really just a little tired, probably from not sleeping enough lately."
He tipped his head down towards her, frowning
"So you are having trouble sleeping again?"
Damn it, Caliga!!! Just shut your goddamn mouth before you are in so deep you can't dig back out!
"No. Really, sir. I am quite alright and sorry that I have bothered you. Thank you so much for coming up here.' She smiled promisingly at her Head of House.
"Fine then. You need to eat and drink something, however. To become dehydrated or to have your blood sugars drop too much could trigger and episode. I will ask the house elves to send something up immediately, and I expect you to eat it."
Nodding submissively, Cassandra smiled up at him as Snape turned to leave.
"I appreciate that. Thank you. Good night, Professor Snape."
With that, Cassandra shut the door, breathing a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was more time in the infirmary. She would have to be more careful in what she said to Snape. He was just to damn good. He seemed to have that instinct for when she was, well, stretching and bending the truth a bit. She had actually never felt as tired as she had today, even after three weeks of migraine. However, nothing was actually wrong with her, so why create havoc? Moving her wand properly this time, the chandelier in her room lit up, displaying the food which had already arrived on her bedside table. Walking over, she grabbed the mug of pumpkin juice and swigged it down. It woke her up nicely, so refreshing! Looking over the food, her nose involuntarily twitched in revulsion. Eating had never been a favorite habit of hers, it showed a lack of control, and a week straight of vomiting had reinforced this in her mind. However, she did not wish to collapse or something embarrassing like that, so she dutifully picked up the fork and set to work at the mashed potatoes and gravy.
Arriving back in his study after checking on the Slytherins grouped in the common room, Severus had plenty on his mind. He was greatly relieved to have found the girl safe in her chambers, and, of all things, sleeping. He was worried about how tired she had looked again, and at her evasiveness at his questions. Most students had an exceptionally difficult time even trying to formulate a lie in front of him, as it was his talent to be able to see through them. Miss Caliga, on the other hand, seemed not only to attempt it, she succeeded in twisting things around easily. He couldn't quite tell where the truth ended and the lies began, and that was disconcerting. Her pulse had also been slower and shallower than it should have been, and he worried that it might be a side effect of coming off the medications.
The charms are in place to protect her, you know! He chided himself. All this concern over a little girl. She will come to you if she needs help, she knows that now. A sneer crossed his face. Right, and then I'll get voted Witch Weekly's Most Sparkling Smile, knocking Lockheart out of contention. Snape almost laughed at the thought. He made up his mind to increase his vigilance over the girl she would need to come and see him each day after classes in the dungeons, so he could be sure. She was just too good at disappearing, and he was getting too old to be chasing after students constantly. For some reason, she lingered in his mind long into the night, until sleep eventually overtook him. Cassandra was not the only overtired and exhausted Slytherin in the castle.
Alone in his bed, ensconced in dark green velvet drapes, Draco Malfoy lay in bed that night, staring up into the inky blackness. His arm still pained him, much more than when he had been slashed by the Hippogriff, and brought back painful memories which he could not put aside at this time of night. He was also trying to figure out why his Slytherin Potions partner had helped him out of what would have been a sticky situation with the MudBlood. Go figure. He would have to talk with her the following morning, as they had double Potions again first thing, and Herbology in the afternoon.
Everyone except for Cassandra Caliga and Wisp ( her one eyed cat) belong to the delightful and talented JK Rowling. If not for her, I don't know what I would do when I can't sleep for nights on end. To all those kind enough to follow and review, it is greatly appreciated. I do not know where this is going to take my fave characters, let me know what you guys want to have happen between Snape /Caliga/Malfoy.. remember, I DON'T write slash, and Snape is totally hetro!!!
Writing is therapeutic and fun for me, I do it to blow off some steam. It warms my heart that people are actually reading my little story. Once again, I sign off with : I am simply a Harry Potter Fan in love with a Slytherin Man!!
XII
Though weaker than usual, Cassandra Caliga was pleased to rejoin her classes the next day. She felt a bit groggy at times, but chalked it up to over exhaustion and tried to ignore it and focus on her studies. Sitting in McGonangal's class and preparing to turn a turtle into a footstool, she kept catching herself glancing sideways to where Malfoy was sitting. He had been gone from the infirmary when she had awakened that morning, as had Snape. She assumed that one was saving face in his House, while the other had gone to organize lesson plans. Malfoy had been quieter than usual, none of the usual snide remarks or Gryffindor bashing he was so fond of. The injured arm was in a sling, making wand waving a challenge. Sparks were flying all around, and he was clearly getting agitated at this. Eyes unfocussed, he was glaring into the ceiling, clearly not thinking of the transfiguration at hand. Cassandra wondered at that, guessing what he might be thinking of, when she realized that she was doing the same thing as Malfoy. Shaking her head to clear her muddied thoughts, she went back to working on the poor turtle.
McGonagal, who had been wandering up and down the rows of benches helping out various students surveyed the two pale Slytherins closely. Snape had briefed all the professors at an impromptu teachers meeting that morning, debriefing them all on the students' respective situations, and warning them all to keep a close eye on Miss Caliga in case she had a 'funny turn' as he had called it. Minerva felt a twist of guilt in her guts, as she thought back on how hard she had been on the fifth year Prefect, harassing her about her slipping grades and lack of focus. Now that she was aware of what had caused it, she wondered at her insensitivity, having not noticed that the girl was sick before. Heaving out a heavy sigh, McGonagal was sure that had the student been in any house BUT Slytherin, she would have paid closer attention. Let that be a lesson to you, my girl, she thought to herself, inwardly offering a thousand apologies to the serious girl in front of her.
Thinking back to Snape's meeting, Minerva wondered if she was perhaps not the only one to have done some soul-searching the last few days. For the first time in recorded history, Severus Snape had actually asked the rest of the faculty to go easy on both of his students. The first time ever that he had asked for lenience for anyone, about anything. Very interesting. Snape was going soft after all these years. You never know, it might do him a turn of good. It might. Walking past the front bench, McGonagal stopped to help Neville Longbottom, whose brocade footstool was slowly crawling away on him.
When the class was dismissed, Cassandra was grateful that all she had to do was eat dinner and then go to bed. She was shocked at how rapidly her energy was leaving her, and slinging her bookbag over her shoulder she headed out into the crowded corridor, which looked like a sea of black robes and chattering voices. Forging out into the foray, she spun around sharply when a had was place don her shoulder. Expecting to see Professor Snape's towering figure, she was surprised to be looking eye to eye with Hermione Granger.
"Hey Caliga, couldn't you hear me? I've been calling you since class ended."
The wild haired girl questioned.
Now that she was standing directly in front of her, Cassandra wondered how she couldn't have heard the girls nasal voice. Shaking her head "no", Caliga felt that would suffice as an answer ,and hoped that the other girl would just go away,. She was running out of resources and fatiguing quickly.
"Well, anyhow, don't you think its high time we got started on our project? It's very major, and even though I would take my NEWTS Anyways, I would like to actually find the cure for our topic. We didn't do anything on it last night, as I couldn't find neither you nor Malfoy, and Harry was at Quidditch practice. If we don't watch it, we will be out of time before we know it!" Granger had finally run out of breath.
Eyebrows raised, Cassandra eyed the overexcited girl in front of her warily? Was she an idiot?
"Granger, it's only the end of January, and these are YEAR-END projects, so what is the big hurry? Possibly you have nothing better to do, but tonight is definitely out for me. I have a variety of other things which are more pressing to do, as does Malfoy." Cassandra continued to walk down the hallway, hoping Hermione would take the hint. Hearing his name, Draco turned around suspiciously and gave her a piercing look.
"How's that?" he growled at her
Hermione gave Cassandra a strange look, and she knew she was close to being caught on this little lie. Shifting uncomfortably under their gazes, Cassandra thought hard and quick.
"I was just explaining to Granger , Draco, about how you and I were both busy with other endeavors and thus cannot work on our Potions project tonight." She raised her eyebrows at him and sent a pointed look Draco's way. A look of understanding and then relief flooded the boy's face, and for the first time in a week, Draco smiled.
"Yeah. VERY busy. You and Potter feel free to go ahead and start, ok? Also, feel free to finish it as well. Damn Mud…" his voice trailed off, as he looked sharply over his shoulder to make sure Snape wasn't in earshot. He then turned on his heel and left the two girls standing there.
"Well" Said Cassandra finally " Have a good night then."
With that she followed Malfoy's footsteps back down to the bowels of the castle where their Dorm was. Calling out the password of "Purity", the common room materialized before her, though she continued through it and up a few steps to her private Prefects quarters. Entering the chambers, she smiled as her little gray cat., one-eyed mongrel that he was, leapt lightly off the bed and strutted over to her. Jumping gently up onto her shoulders and purring loudly. Such a big purr from such a little guy, she thought , stroking him idly. He jumped back down onto the bed again, and winked at her lazily. Cassandra had to agree, the bed did look particularly comfortable in this moment. Another wave of exhaustion rippled through her, causing her physically to sway.
"Maybe just for a moment," she spoke quietly to the kitten, and he responded by luxuriously stretching out across the bed. Unclipping her robes, she dropped down on top of the comforter, and was asleep before she even hit the pillow.
She was awakened some time later by a sharp rapping at the door, and an even sharper voice calling her name. Fumbling around in the pitch blackness, she tried to light a candle with her wand, nearly setting her drapes on fire instead.
"Miss Caliga!! Caliga, are you in there?" and then " Cassandra?" in a softer tone. The voice sounded familiar, but the tone didn't seem right.
Cassandra hurried over to the door, tripping over her robes laying where they were thrown. Feeling around, she found the door handle and swung it open. Standing there was a rather agitated and flustered Professor Snape, not looking his usual smooth collected self. She blinked up at him with bleary eyes, trying hard to adjust them to the torchlight outside. Why would he come to my dorm, of all things? She thought in surprise.
"what time is it sir, am I late for class?" She asked, truly bewildered.
He fairly snorted at her. " not quite. It's eight o'clock at night, and your presence was not noted in the Great Hall at dinner. I became, rather, worried when the other students said that they hadn't seen you since transfiguration." His tone changed, dropping down slightly as a concerned look entered his eyes " Are you alright, Cassandra?"
Snape lifted his hand to take her chin, wanting to look closely into her eyes. Pulling back, Cassandra was painfully aware that all he would see there would be a very thick fog, and very little brains.
" Oh, yes sir. Quite very alright, thank you. I am sorry to have distressed you needlessly. I was so very tired after my classes that I went to have a small nap before dinner, and clearly overslept." Cassandra gestured to the wrinkled bed covers on the bed behind her, as the little cat scowled up at them ,his sleep disturbed for the moment. Snape looked at her hard, and taking her wrist felt for her pulse.
"Seems fine then. Are you usually so tired after classes?" He was looking searchingly into her eyes again, and Cassandra realized that she might have said too much earlier.
"Oh, no, sir. It was really just a little tired, probably from not sleeping enough lately."
He tipped his head down towards her, frowning
"So you are having trouble sleeping again?"
Damn it, Caliga!!! Just shut your goddamn mouth before you are in so deep you can't dig back out!
"No. Really, sir. I am quite alright and sorry that I have bothered you. Thank you so much for coming up here.' She smiled promisingly at her Head of House.
"Fine then. You need to eat and drink something, however. To become dehydrated or to have your blood sugars drop too much could trigger and episode. I will ask the house elves to send something up immediately, and I expect you to eat it."
Nodding submissively, Cassandra smiled up at him as Snape turned to leave.
"I appreciate that. Thank you. Good night, Professor Snape."
With that, Cassandra shut the door, breathing a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was more time in the infirmary. She would have to be more careful in what she said to Snape. He was just to damn good. He seemed to have that instinct for when she was, well, stretching and bending the truth a bit. She had actually never felt as tired as she had today, even after three weeks of migraine. However, nothing was actually wrong with her, so why create havoc? Moving her wand properly this time, the chandelier in her room lit up, displaying the food which had already arrived on her bedside table. Walking over, she grabbed the mug of pumpkin juice and swigged it down. It woke her up nicely, so refreshing! Looking over the food, her nose involuntarily twitched in revulsion. Eating had never been a favorite habit of hers, it showed a lack of control, and a week straight of vomiting had reinforced this in her mind. However, she did not wish to collapse or something embarrassing like that, so she dutifully picked up the fork and set to work at the mashed potatoes and gravy.
Arriving back in his study after checking on the Slytherins grouped in the common room, Severus had plenty on his mind. He was greatly relieved to have found the girl safe in her chambers, and, of all things, sleeping. He was worried about how tired she had looked again, and at her evasiveness at his questions. Most students had an exceptionally difficult time even trying to formulate a lie in front of him, as it was his talent to be able to see through them. Miss Caliga, on the other hand, seemed not only to attempt it, she succeeded in twisting things around easily. He couldn't quite tell where the truth ended and the lies began, and that was disconcerting. Her pulse had also been slower and shallower than it should have been, and he worried that it might be a side effect of coming off the medications.
The charms are in place to protect her, you know! He chided himself. All this concern over a little girl. She will come to you if she needs help, she knows that now. A sneer crossed his face. Right, and then I'll get voted Witch Weekly's Most Sparkling Smile, knocking Lockheart out of contention. Snape almost laughed at the thought. He made up his mind to increase his vigilance over the girl she would need to come and see him each day after classes in the dungeons, so he could be sure. She was just too good at disappearing, and he was getting too old to be chasing after students constantly. For some reason, she lingered in his mind long into the night, until sleep eventually overtook him. Cassandra was not the only overtired and exhausted Slytherin in the castle.
Alone in his bed, ensconced in dark green velvet drapes, Draco Malfoy lay in bed that night, staring up into the inky blackness. His arm still pained him, much more than when he had been slashed by the Hippogriff, and brought back painful memories which he could not put aside at this time of night. He was also trying to figure out why his Slytherin Potions partner had helped him out of what would have been a sticky situation with the MudBlood. Go figure. He would have to talk with her the following morning, as they had double Potions again first thing, and Herbology in the afternoon.