Well, someone wanted some excitement, and here it comes. Rowling owns
everyone but Caliga, her cat, and Octavious. I am not particularily proud
to own Octavious, but as it goes, Slytherins always come with a dark past,
Cassandra not the least. Hope you like it guys, it came to me in a dream.
Still, a Harry Potter fan in love with The Slytherin Man.
XIV -
In Dreams
It had proven to be a long and restless night after all. Severus sat at his desk, furiously rubbing his hands over his dry red eyes, wishing he had gone to see Albus before the start of his classes. He needed to discuss with him what had happened with the girl ,and the "premonition" she claimed to have had. In the gray light of morning, Snape had rationalized that it might simply have been a result of the blow to her head, however.. Albus was good to work things over with. As it was, Professor Snape felt a strong responsibility to continue watching over the child, in case she was indeed in danger. Albus would have to wait 'til later, there was a more pressing matter on his mind right now.
Double Potions - fifth years, Slytherin and Gryffindor first thing on a Wednesday morning was challenging enough as it was, but to do it on less than an hours sleep… this was not going to be a pleasant experience, to say the least. And something else was tugging at the back of his mind, something that would add a whole other layer of stress to the morning, What was it again. Snape wracked his overtired brain, hunting around for the elusive missing link. Conjuring up his lesson plans from last night he realized what it was. That fellow from the Magical Education section of the ministry. What was his bloody name again. He was a bit of an idiot, Minerva had told him, but generally just sits in the back and keeps quiet. Being observed was something that Severus Snape appreciated. One of the many reasons that he did not particularly relish his job. Standing in front of 30 sets of staring eyes, all waiting for you to make some kind of a mockable mistake. Bloody horrible, end of it.
Sighing, he rose and went to write the required ingredients for the anti- Curse potion the class would be creating, or rather, attempting to create today. Snape glowered at the list of ingredients, wondering how many times he would be requiring that old chamber pot this morning. First half of class spent creating, second half spent testing it out. Well, any way that you looked at it, the morning would be eventful. He turned back to the chalkboard, listing the virtues of each ingredient. Waste of time, really, he thought to himself. They never appreciate the subtlety of individual qualities that go together to make the perfect mix. It was just so far above them. He didn't think his useless students would ever understand. Flicking his wand irritably at the chalk board to underline the most important ingredients, he looked around as he heard the dungeon door click shut, hoping that it wasn't the wizard form the ministry yet. He had only had half a cup of luke-warm tea so far this morning, and wasn't exactly chipper, or awake for that matter. The concept of making small talk seemed simply aggravating.
He was not entirely surprised to see Miss Caliga enter the room, red-eyed and only slightly rumpled. She went over to her usual seat and sat down, pulling out her potions book in the process. She hadn't done more than nodded at him, seemingly sensing that his mood was fell, if not dangerous. Most likely she was well aware of the reason for it, and didn't want to make it any worse. Sighing at the stupidity of it all, Snape went back to the chalkboard and made the first move.
"Morning." The word 'good' didn't seem to fit for either of them, but it was indeed morning, after all. He continued on " Any better this morning?"
Cassandra suddenly flushed , and seemed to be intensely interested in her potions text. Narrowing his eyes, Snape could easily see that it was the main title page. It was a blessing, his eyesight, he could almost see through things, it was that good. Wrinkling his brow at the girls discomfort, he tried again.
"Are you feeling any better this morning. " The question came out as more of a statement, he didn't want to have to ask her three times.
"Yes, sir. " She replied looking up. The light caught the hollows under her eyes, and Snape knew he had his own that matched.
"Bit of a headache, do you? " he asked, hazarding a guess.
The girl looked surprised. Again, I'm underestimated, he thought sourly. One cannot go without sleep for a whole night, and nearly knock themselves out, and NOT have a headache. He was already walking back to his storerooms, as he had a quick fix that would do quite nicely.
" Yes, Sir. A bit."
He returned promptly, a small vile of purple liquid swirling around in his hand.
"Bolt this back a quick as you can, and you'll find the pain gone and thinking clearer." He handed it over to the girl. Unlike all the other students, she just took it and flung it back, grimacing slightly. Everyone else at least gives me "the look" first, Snape thought to himself, as if they assume that I would be stupid enough to openly poison them. Maybe she does trust me a bit after all.
"That was, er, nice, thank you." Cassandra spoke through puckered lips.
Snape openly smiled . " No, it bloody well wasn't 'nice' of all things, but it is effective. How is your head feeling now?"
She looked pensive for a moment, and answered in a surprised and slightly awed tone. "Fine now. Would you teach me how to make that?"
Cassandra looked like she had even surprised herself with her question. The Potions Master was beginning to like this kid more and more. An active interest in potion making. THAT hadn't happened for a long time, having an opening enthusiastic student. And this particular student was so rarely open about anything.
"Yes. Just not today. We have other activities at hand. Come in after school one day, I would be glad to show you. It's an interesting one, a few surprises in it for a neophyte."
Snape went back to his storeroom, levitating out a variety of jars and vials for the activity of the day.
"Oh, um, about today's activity sir." Cassandra asked meekly. " Um, what exactly am I supposed to do when it's time to test out the Potion. Won't it look odd if everyone else gets Hexed but me?"
Snape had actually thought about that, and was trying to deduce how he would explain that one. Leave her till last, and conveniently run out of time? Excuse her form class? Ignore her? A thought came to him.
"Why don't you cast the curses?" He offered. "That we you could have an active role in the class."
"Why don't I just do the activity. I haven't gone to see Pomfrey yet, I wanted to talk to you first, so maybe I could start whatever she gives me after class. That way the potion won't interfere with anything. I still feel just fine, and I want to see if my potion will work." She looked hopeful.
The girl had a fairly strong logic base, and he respected her for that. Her plan seemed to be a logical one. He nodded grudgingly.
"Fine. But you must go see her after class. And, I want to take you up to see Headmaster Dumbledore immediately after class to discuss, your dream last night. I feel he needs to know that you feel threatened, as he can better address your concerns. He is a very powerful wizard, and will mot take your concerns lightly."
Cassandra looked horrified at the thought of talking to the headmaster. Swallowing hard, she asked
"Does he know about what happened last night? About how stupid I was? "
"Stupid? No, I have not had the chance to discuss your dream with him, but he absolutely must know. There is no choice in this matter."
A feeling of dread was growing inside Cassandra, and now a hard lump formed in her gut. Not from breakfast, she hadn't been bothered to have any. She assumed it was just because she would have to discuss rather private matters with, of all people, the Headmaster. He would indeed think she was pathetic, if not crazy. She herself was beginning to wonder about her sanity as well. She grabbed up her lower lip between her teeth, worrying it.
"Well,. I want to ask. Will you be coming with me? " She asked quickly, and sent him a pleading look. He couldn't know that she only felt safe when she was locked in her chambers, and past that, when he was in the vicinity. Otherwise she felt extremely vulnerable, and unprotected.
" Yes. If you wish." Came the reply.
Their discussion was interrupted as Malfoy came into the room. Realizing he had just interrupted something, he simply smiled and wished them both "good morning," sliding into the seat beside Caliga.
Snape nodded at him and busied himself at his desk.
" Early bird gets the worm, don't ya know? " he smirked at her. "Getting some extra credit or something.? Hey - how come I didn't see you in the common room last night? I waited around for you 'til midnight!"
she looked at him strangely. So, something was up. Why did she feel so suddenly edgy about all of this?
"I'm sure you weren't the only one who wanted to see me. Pansy is pretty pissed at me. I don't even know what the hell I did."
"You can't fight with fate, sister/" Draco replied, reaching over and touching her hand. She recoiled as if bitten by a snake.
"Damn! Bit jumpy aren't we Caliga?" He asked her, obviously unimpressed with her reaction. " Do you know how many girls wish I would be with them?"
"And how many wish you were dead?" Came her terse reply. It wasn't his fault she was in such a pissy mood, but she wasn't up for witty banter today. Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Hard to get, are we? You never know how much we might have in common, after all."
Cassandra's head was screaming again, and she flashed back to both of them in the infirmary. She was fairly certain he hadn't known it was her, but… what had that strange gleam in his eye been when he had asked her about he extra credit. Looking at him with a melting gaze, she simply answered
"I wasn't well last night, and I'm not having a good morning. I am not looking forward to meeting up with Pansy, or any of the other activities which will come to pass today. Can you please just lay off a bit? It's entirely not personal, and I'm sure I'll be in a better mood tomorrow…"
He looked impressed for a moment at her candor. Shrugging, he replied with a simple "OK", and then pulled out his Potions text.
The rest of t he class had filed in, early for once, eager to start throwing hexes and curses at each other legally. There was a tangible air of excitement in the room, and Professor Snape told them to bring out their cauldrons and come up front to pick out the ingredients. He gave them all a quick reminder that their curses would be nothing compared to what would happen if they acted up in front of the guest which was due to arrive, and then set them about their task.
Working together in silence over their cauldron, as neither Malfoy nor Caliga felt that there was much to say after their earlier conversation. The ominous feeling of dread was growing even stronger, and she felt as if she might explode at any moment. Sensing this, Malfoy took over the stirring of ingredients, while she furiously sliced up her fairy wings.
"Wow - you really are wound tight today." Was all he could muster . "Don't worry, I won't add to it. I'm saving mine for whatever unhappy Gryffindor I get paired up with."
A wicked gleam had entered Malfoy's eye, and Cassandra knew he secretly wanted to deal with Potter. Won't that be great for team relations in our little Project? She wondered. But then again, knowing Professor Snape, he'll pair me up with Parkinson.
At the front of the room, Snape was getting growlier by the moment. Not only had half his students misfired on their potions, but his left arm was tingling and itching like mad. That usually only happened when a Death Eater was nearby, although he was fairly certain that they couldn't enter the school. Had it been someone very dangerous, or with malicious intent, the alarms and wards would be going off all over the school. There was nothing, and yet Snape went into high alert, mind flashing briefly back to the whispered warning from the night before. " He is coming." Snape eyes the door warily, wondering what else would go on to ruin his day. Could it be Lucious? He wondered or Goyle, or Crabbe? He thought over all of the students whose parents were Death Eaters that he knew of. But he did not know who all of Voldemort's followers were, no matter how hard he had spied to find out His arm stung on
When the potion was finished, they siphoned it out of the cauldrons and decanted it over a fire, watching as the color changed from navy to puce.
"Ick, what a hideous color." Cassandra commented.
"Its Pansy's favorite." Malfoy replied, smirking. "Yet another reason I could never love her."
Before she could say anything else, Snape called the class to order, letting them know they would begin testing their potions momentarily. Some of the pairs hadn't even finished yet, and she looked over at where Longbottom sat, pathetic whiner that he was, to see he was shaking like a leaf and still trying unsuccessfully to decant his potion, which had turned green. 'Oh, he's dead.' She thought to herself, smiling a bit. Will that kid ever figure it out?
The professor called the first pair of students up to the front of the class. They were two Gryffindors that Cassandra didn't recognize, though Malfoy nodded knowingly.
"These two shouldn't have any problems, they're good at Potions. "
Their potions appeared to be the correct color and consistency, and Snape pulled out two small cups, splitting the potion in two.
"Drink." He ordered.
Looking at the mix apprehensively, the two students did as they were told. They look relieved that nothing had happened to them afterwards.
"Well, that's step one. " said Snape " Now, Parkinson and Bludstrode bring yours up."
Looking fairly smug, the girls headed to the front of the class, Millicent lumbering along as always, and Pansy simpering like she was about to won t he lottery.
"Now we'll show them! " She winked at Malfoy as she went by, and he declined to respond. The look on the girls face went from smug to murderous in a heartbeat.
'Gods, ' thought Cassandra' I sure hope for their sake that the Gryffindors got the mix right. She's going to send out a mighty powerful curse.' Then they all just sat and waited in anticipation as their Professor poured out the mixture, frowning slightly at it.
"It's too thin." He Snarled, handing it back to the Girls.
The looks on their faces drew a few snickers amongst the class, from both sides of the room. Even in their own house, Pansy and Millicent had very few friends. Everyone held their breath as the two teams prepared their wands to fire spells at each other. If looks could kill, all four students at the front of the class would have been long gone.
"And Three, Two, One.."
The words were barely out of Snapes mouth went the spell casting began.
"Furnunculus!"
"Impedimentia!"
The rest of the spells were lost in the ensuing din as the class sprang to their feet to better watch the action. Both Gryffindors stood there looking hale, however the same could not be said for their sparing partners. Pansy had horrible boils appearing all over her face, and Millicent was wobbling around the front of the room ,apparently hit by a well-aimed Jelly Legs curse. Hands to her face, Pansy shot out of the room wailing, clearly headed straight for the infirmary. The class wondered who amongst them would be next. Victorious, the two Gryffindors returned to their cheering housemates, while Snape scowled at Millicent who bravely wobbled back to her seat.
"It will wear off relatively quickly." Was all he said to her, embarrassed by the lack of talent in his own house. Definitely a bad start. Damn Smug Griffindors.
Snape called Harry and Hermione up to the front next. Splitting their potion into two small cups, he ordered them each to drink it. They did so nervously, and then waited to see who Snape would call up to curse them , wondering if they were possibly supposed to curse each other.
"Malfoy, Caliga.! Up front now!" Snape growled.
Rising from her seat and taking their vile of potion, Cassandra didn't hear the door open to the dungeon classroom. She didn't turn to see who had come in, and assumed that Snapes curt nod had been intended for herself and Malfoy. She raised for hand to her head as the pain returned with a vengeance.' Guess the potion wears off quickly' she thought to herself, trying to focus on whichever curse she was going to place on here opponent. 'A nice petrifying curse would do. Not too evil, not too wimpy. Highly embarrassing. That would do just fine.' Her thoughts were cut short by another surge of pain, and the rising feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. Malfoy looked over at her sharply.
"Hey, it's going to be alright you know! We did the whole thing properly. It's OK"
Shocked at his perceptiveness, and his attempt to be nice, of all things, Cassandra could only just barely nod. Watching warily as the Potions Master evaluated their concoction, nodded and emptied it into their cups. She took it with a shaking hand. What was bothering her so much? Her Professor gave her a strange assessing look, asking her if she was sure she was up to this under his breath. She assumed she must have been looking quite off by this point to have him ask her, and simply said.
"Nerves."
He could decide what she meant by that on his own. Standing across from Potter, with Malfoy paired with Granger, they drew their wands and assumed a dueling stance.
"Ready?" Snape asked, only a little viciously.
Nods all around, determined glares flying, and the entire class at the edge of its seat.
"Fine. Three, Two one, Fire!"
The curses were flying hard and heavy. The four students at the front had more than one up their robe sleeves, and we hell-bent on dropping someone on the other team.
"Petrificus Totalus"
"Rictusempra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"Jelligous!"
"Tarantellegra!"
"Sapukumonious!"
A silence fell over the room as the curses got nastier, and yet none of the four had fallen. So busy in firing their curses, no one had actually connected with the opponent. Snape held back, well away from the action.
"ENOUGH!!! " He hollered at them. " I sincerely hope that you never get called to duel, because your aim is horrendous and you would all be dead before you knew what had hit you. Now. Each will fire only once, aim directly at you opponent."
"Granger."
Glaring at Malfoy, muttering under her breath, she raised her wand and fired.
"Rictusempra!"
It was a direct hit, yet Malfoy did nothing.
"Malfoy."
A particularly evil look came to Malfoy's face.
" Sapukumonious!"
An angry red jet shot from Draco's wand, hitting Harry directly in the chest. He was momentarily surrounded by a glowing red light, and then it dissipated. Cassandra looked at Malfoy questioningly, while Snape glared at him murderously, muttering something about Granger having been his partner.
"A Japanese suicide curse. The receiver must find a cliff and leap off of it immediately. My dad taught it to me." He whispered to her. She was a little impressed, but mostly sickened that he would try it. She thought the whole thing reeked of Dark Arts, and that disgusted her.
"Caliga."
She readied herself, aiming straight at Hermione, who was looking defiant.
" Expelliarmus. " certain that it wouldn't work ,since Harry had survived his hit just fine, Caliga went for something tame. To her utter shock, Hermione's wand came zooming over to her and she caught it deftly.
"What the hell? " she asked.
"Well, done, Miss Caliga." Snape spoke through a thin-lipped smile, as Harry prepared his wand to curse her.
"Yes, Well done Cassandra. How proud we all are." A cold calculating voice came from t he back of the classroom. The hairs on t he back of Cassandra's neck went up, as her whole body screamed at her to run. The person from the ministry, their Guest today. She knew that voice. She knew it all to well, , and the last thing she heard was Professor Snape introducing their visitor.
"Class, May I introduce you to our guest from the Ministry of Magical Education, Mr. Octavious Ignoble."
Unable to turn around, Cassandra felt the blood rush through her ears and behind her eyes, blocking her vision. This was her nightmare. This was her reality. Octavious, here at the school. Octavious, who had sworn he would kill her should he ever see her again, the day her mother had kicked him out of the house. The floor dropped away from her feet as black swirls filled her sight. Her last conscious thought was ' he's going to kill me', and still clasping Hermione's wand in her hand, she dropped to the floor.
"Impedimentia!" Harry hollered, as Snape introduced the visitor. A jet of energy whooshed out of his wand, he was shocked to see the Slytherin student collapse to the floor, the curse completely missing her.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU HIT HER WITH, POTTER?" Snape snarled at the top of his lungs, leaping over to the fallen student.
"Nothing, Nothing!" Harry stuttered, backing away as Malfoy and Granger looked on in shock. Both Malfoy and Snape looked up at Harry with clear malice.
The Gryffindors and Slytherins were all in an uproar. Potions or none, the curses were flying like a winter snow. Chaos ensued, as Snape was too preoccupied trying to revive Caliga.
"Sir, he missed her. I saw the whole thing. She was already going down when he fired!" Hermione was not going to let Harry go down without a fight.
"I swear, Potter, If you did any damage, if you hurt her, you'll be sorry you were ever born." Malfoy sounded lethal. His eyes had gone a strange silver color, and his face was pinched with rage. "I'll deal with you myself, forget about my father! It'll make last night look like nothing at all!"
Harry sent Malfoy a warning look, glaring sharply at the Potions Master crouching over Cassandra. "I dare you." He slung back at the blonde boy.
" Mr. Ignoble, I'm afraid that you are going to have to leave now. I have my hands full with taking this student up to the infirmary. If you please. " Snape was in no mood to ask politely, no matter who it was. His scar was burning as if on fire, and even after a " Finite Incantum" the girl had remained motionless, proving that Potter was innocent.
"Go to the library and work on your group projects class!! We are done here for now!" He barked a the students, loud enough to scare those who hadn't yet gone up to the infirmary to be treated for their various curses, a good scare. The class left in a jumble, with only Potter, Malfoy, Granger and the unfortunate Caliga remaining with their Professor and the strange guest.
"I believe I asked you to leave." The venom was heavy in his voice, s he turned his smouldering black glare met the man's cool hazel eyes. He looked with loathing, casting silent curses onto the man in the navy robes. The three students looked on, wondering if the man with the sandy moustache was deaf or demented not to be flying out of the classroom.
"Are your classes always, this ….entertaining, Snape?" He asked coolly, turning to leave.
"I shall return."
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Snape muttered under his breath, bending over to collect up the unconscious figure on his Dungeon floor. "You three may come if you wish." He glared at the students involved in the fiasco, and swept out of the dungeon, the strange entourage following in his billowing wake.
XIV -
In Dreams
It had proven to be a long and restless night after all. Severus sat at his desk, furiously rubbing his hands over his dry red eyes, wishing he had gone to see Albus before the start of his classes. He needed to discuss with him what had happened with the girl ,and the "premonition" she claimed to have had. In the gray light of morning, Snape had rationalized that it might simply have been a result of the blow to her head, however.. Albus was good to work things over with. As it was, Professor Snape felt a strong responsibility to continue watching over the child, in case she was indeed in danger. Albus would have to wait 'til later, there was a more pressing matter on his mind right now.
Double Potions - fifth years, Slytherin and Gryffindor first thing on a Wednesday morning was challenging enough as it was, but to do it on less than an hours sleep… this was not going to be a pleasant experience, to say the least. And something else was tugging at the back of his mind, something that would add a whole other layer of stress to the morning, What was it again. Snape wracked his overtired brain, hunting around for the elusive missing link. Conjuring up his lesson plans from last night he realized what it was. That fellow from the Magical Education section of the ministry. What was his bloody name again. He was a bit of an idiot, Minerva had told him, but generally just sits in the back and keeps quiet. Being observed was something that Severus Snape appreciated. One of the many reasons that he did not particularly relish his job. Standing in front of 30 sets of staring eyes, all waiting for you to make some kind of a mockable mistake. Bloody horrible, end of it.
Sighing, he rose and went to write the required ingredients for the anti- Curse potion the class would be creating, or rather, attempting to create today. Snape glowered at the list of ingredients, wondering how many times he would be requiring that old chamber pot this morning. First half of class spent creating, second half spent testing it out. Well, any way that you looked at it, the morning would be eventful. He turned back to the chalkboard, listing the virtues of each ingredient. Waste of time, really, he thought to himself. They never appreciate the subtlety of individual qualities that go together to make the perfect mix. It was just so far above them. He didn't think his useless students would ever understand. Flicking his wand irritably at the chalk board to underline the most important ingredients, he looked around as he heard the dungeon door click shut, hoping that it wasn't the wizard form the ministry yet. He had only had half a cup of luke-warm tea so far this morning, and wasn't exactly chipper, or awake for that matter. The concept of making small talk seemed simply aggravating.
He was not entirely surprised to see Miss Caliga enter the room, red-eyed and only slightly rumpled. She went over to her usual seat and sat down, pulling out her potions book in the process. She hadn't done more than nodded at him, seemingly sensing that his mood was fell, if not dangerous. Most likely she was well aware of the reason for it, and didn't want to make it any worse. Sighing at the stupidity of it all, Snape went back to the chalkboard and made the first move.
"Morning." The word 'good' didn't seem to fit for either of them, but it was indeed morning, after all. He continued on " Any better this morning?"
Cassandra suddenly flushed , and seemed to be intensely interested in her potions text. Narrowing his eyes, Snape could easily see that it was the main title page. It was a blessing, his eyesight, he could almost see through things, it was that good. Wrinkling his brow at the girls discomfort, he tried again.
"Are you feeling any better this morning. " The question came out as more of a statement, he didn't want to have to ask her three times.
"Yes, sir. " She replied looking up. The light caught the hollows under her eyes, and Snape knew he had his own that matched.
"Bit of a headache, do you? " he asked, hazarding a guess.
The girl looked surprised. Again, I'm underestimated, he thought sourly. One cannot go without sleep for a whole night, and nearly knock themselves out, and NOT have a headache. He was already walking back to his storerooms, as he had a quick fix that would do quite nicely.
" Yes, Sir. A bit."
He returned promptly, a small vile of purple liquid swirling around in his hand.
"Bolt this back a quick as you can, and you'll find the pain gone and thinking clearer." He handed it over to the girl. Unlike all the other students, she just took it and flung it back, grimacing slightly. Everyone else at least gives me "the look" first, Snape thought to himself, as if they assume that I would be stupid enough to openly poison them. Maybe she does trust me a bit after all.
"That was, er, nice, thank you." Cassandra spoke through puckered lips.
Snape openly smiled . " No, it bloody well wasn't 'nice' of all things, but it is effective. How is your head feeling now?"
She looked pensive for a moment, and answered in a surprised and slightly awed tone. "Fine now. Would you teach me how to make that?"
Cassandra looked like she had even surprised herself with her question. The Potions Master was beginning to like this kid more and more. An active interest in potion making. THAT hadn't happened for a long time, having an opening enthusiastic student. And this particular student was so rarely open about anything.
"Yes. Just not today. We have other activities at hand. Come in after school one day, I would be glad to show you. It's an interesting one, a few surprises in it for a neophyte."
Snape went back to his storeroom, levitating out a variety of jars and vials for the activity of the day.
"Oh, um, about today's activity sir." Cassandra asked meekly. " Um, what exactly am I supposed to do when it's time to test out the Potion. Won't it look odd if everyone else gets Hexed but me?"
Snape had actually thought about that, and was trying to deduce how he would explain that one. Leave her till last, and conveniently run out of time? Excuse her form class? Ignore her? A thought came to him.
"Why don't you cast the curses?" He offered. "That we you could have an active role in the class."
"Why don't I just do the activity. I haven't gone to see Pomfrey yet, I wanted to talk to you first, so maybe I could start whatever she gives me after class. That way the potion won't interfere with anything. I still feel just fine, and I want to see if my potion will work." She looked hopeful.
The girl had a fairly strong logic base, and he respected her for that. Her plan seemed to be a logical one. He nodded grudgingly.
"Fine. But you must go see her after class. And, I want to take you up to see Headmaster Dumbledore immediately after class to discuss, your dream last night. I feel he needs to know that you feel threatened, as he can better address your concerns. He is a very powerful wizard, and will mot take your concerns lightly."
Cassandra looked horrified at the thought of talking to the headmaster. Swallowing hard, she asked
"Does he know about what happened last night? About how stupid I was? "
"Stupid? No, I have not had the chance to discuss your dream with him, but he absolutely must know. There is no choice in this matter."
A feeling of dread was growing inside Cassandra, and now a hard lump formed in her gut. Not from breakfast, she hadn't been bothered to have any. She assumed it was just because she would have to discuss rather private matters with, of all people, the Headmaster. He would indeed think she was pathetic, if not crazy. She herself was beginning to wonder about her sanity as well. She grabbed up her lower lip between her teeth, worrying it.
"Well,. I want to ask. Will you be coming with me? " She asked quickly, and sent him a pleading look. He couldn't know that she only felt safe when she was locked in her chambers, and past that, when he was in the vicinity. Otherwise she felt extremely vulnerable, and unprotected.
" Yes. If you wish." Came the reply.
Their discussion was interrupted as Malfoy came into the room. Realizing he had just interrupted something, he simply smiled and wished them both "good morning," sliding into the seat beside Caliga.
Snape nodded at him and busied himself at his desk.
" Early bird gets the worm, don't ya know? " he smirked at her. "Getting some extra credit or something.? Hey - how come I didn't see you in the common room last night? I waited around for you 'til midnight!"
she looked at him strangely. So, something was up. Why did she feel so suddenly edgy about all of this?
"I'm sure you weren't the only one who wanted to see me. Pansy is pretty pissed at me. I don't even know what the hell I did."
"You can't fight with fate, sister/" Draco replied, reaching over and touching her hand. She recoiled as if bitten by a snake.
"Damn! Bit jumpy aren't we Caliga?" He asked her, obviously unimpressed with her reaction. " Do you know how many girls wish I would be with them?"
"And how many wish you were dead?" Came her terse reply. It wasn't his fault she was in such a pissy mood, but she wasn't up for witty banter today. Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Hard to get, are we? You never know how much we might have in common, after all."
Cassandra's head was screaming again, and she flashed back to both of them in the infirmary. She was fairly certain he hadn't known it was her, but… what had that strange gleam in his eye been when he had asked her about he extra credit. Looking at him with a melting gaze, she simply answered
"I wasn't well last night, and I'm not having a good morning. I am not looking forward to meeting up with Pansy, or any of the other activities which will come to pass today. Can you please just lay off a bit? It's entirely not personal, and I'm sure I'll be in a better mood tomorrow…"
He looked impressed for a moment at her candor. Shrugging, he replied with a simple "OK", and then pulled out his Potions text.
The rest of t he class had filed in, early for once, eager to start throwing hexes and curses at each other legally. There was a tangible air of excitement in the room, and Professor Snape told them to bring out their cauldrons and come up front to pick out the ingredients. He gave them all a quick reminder that their curses would be nothing compared to what would happen if they acted up in front of the guest which was due to arrive, and then set them about their task.
Working together in silence over their cauldron, as neither Malfoy nor Caliga felt that there was much to say after their earlier conversation. The ominous feeling of dread was growing even stronger, and she felt as if she might explode at any moment. Sensing this, Malfoy took over the stirring of ingredients, while she furiously sliced up her fairy wings.
"Wow - you really are wound tight today." Was all he could muster . "Don't worry, I won't add to it. I'm saving mine for whatever unhappy Gryffindor I get paired up with."
A wicked gleam had entered Malfoy's eye, and Cassandra knew he secretly wanted to deal with Potter. Won't that be great for team relations in our little Project? She wondered. But then again, knowing Professor Snape, he'll pair me up with Parkinson.
At the front of the room, Snape was getting growlier by the moment. Not only had half his students misfired on their potions, but his left arm was tingling and itching like mad. That usually only happened when a Death Eater was nearby, although he was fairly certain that they couldn't enter the school. Had it been someone very dangerous, or with malicious intent, the alarms and wards would be going off all over the school. There was nothing, and yet Snape went into high alert, mind flashing briefly back to the whispered warning from the night before. " He is coming." Snape eyes the door warily, wondering what else would go on to ruin his day. Could it be Lucious? He wondered or Goyle, or Crabbe? He thought over all of the students whose parents were Death Eaters that he knew of. But he did not know who all of Voldemort's followers were, no matter how hard he had spied to find out His arm stung on
When the potion was finished, they siphoned it out of the cauldrons and decanted it over a fire, watching as the color changed from navy to puce.
"Ick, what a hideous color." Cassandra commented.
"Its Pansy's favorite." Malfoy replied, smirking. "Yet another reason I could never love her."
Before she could say anything else, Snape called the class to order, letting them know they would begin testing their potions momentarily. Some of the pairs hadn't even finished yet, and she looked over at where Longbottom sat, pathetic whiner that he was, to see he was shaking like a leaf and still trying unsuccessfully to decant his potion, which had turned green. 'Oh, he's dead.' She thought to herself, smiling a bit. Will that kid ever figure it out?
The professor called the first pair of students up to the front of the class. They were two Gryffindors that Cassandra didn't recognize, though Malfoy nodded knowingly.
"These two shouldn't have any problems, they're good at Potions. "
Their potions appeared to be the correct color and consistency, and Snape pulled out two small cups, splitting the potion in two.
"Drink." He ordered.
Looking at the mix apprehensively, the two students did as they were told. They look relieved that nothing had happened to them afterwards.
"Well, that's step one. " said Snape " Now, Parkinson and Bludstrode bring yours up."
Looking fairly smug, the girls headed to the front of the class, Millicent lumbering along as always, and Pansy simpering like she was about to won t he lottery.
"Now we'll show them! " She winked at Malfoy as she went by, and he declined to respond. The look on the girls face went from smug to murderous in a heartbeat.
'Gods, ' thought Cassandra' I sure hope for their sake that the Gryffindors got the mix right. She's going to send out a mighty powerful curse.' Then they all just sat and waited in anticipation as their Professor poured out the mixture, frowning slightly at it.
"It's too thin." He Snarled, handing it back to the Girls.
The looks on their faces drew a few snickers amongst the class, from both sides of the room. Even in their own house, Pansy and Millicent had very few friends. Everyone held their breath as the two teams prepared their wands to fire spells at each other. If looks could kill, all four students at the front of the class would have been long gone.
"And Three, Two, One.."
The words were barely out of Snapes mouth went the spell casting began.
"Furnunculus!"
"Impedimentia!"
The rest of the spells were lost in the ensuing din as the class sprang to their feet to better watch the action. Both Gryffindors stood there looking hale, however the same could not be said for their sparing partners. Pansy had horrible boils appearing all over her face, and Millicent was wobbling around the front of the room ,apparently hit by a well-aimed Jelly Legs curse. Hands to her face, Pansy shot out of the room wailing, clearly headed straight for the infirmary. The class wondered who amongst them would be next. Victorious, the two Gryffindors returned to their cheering housemates, while Snape scowled at Millicent who bravely wobbled back to her seat.
"It will wear off relatively quickly." Was all he said to her, embarrassed by the lack of talent in his own house. Definitely a bad start. Damn Smug Griffindors.
Snape called Harry and Hermione up to the front next. Splitting their potion into two small cups, he ordered them each to drink it. They did so nervously, and then waited to see who Snape would call up to curse them , wondering if they were possibly supposed to curse each other.
"Malfoy, Caliga.! Up front now!" Snape growled.
Rising from her seat and taking their vile of potion, Cassandra didn't hear the door open to the dungeon classroom. She didn't turn to see who had come in, and assumed that Snapes curt nod had been intended for herself and Malfoy. She raised for hand to her head as the pain returned with a vengeance.' Guess the potion wears off quickly' she thought to herself, trying to focus on whichever curse she was going to place on here opponent. 'A nice petrifying curse would do. Not too evil, not too wimpy. Highly embarrassing. That would do just fine.' Her thoughts were cut short by another surge of pain, and the rising feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. Malfoy looked over at her sharply.
"Hey, it's going to be alright you know! We did the whole thing properly. It's OK"
Shocked at his perceptiveness, and his attempt to be nice, of all things, Cassandra could only just barely nod. Watching warily as the Potions Master evaluated their concoction, nodded and emptied it into their cups. She took it with a shaking hand. What was bothering her so much? Her Professor gave her a strange assessing look, asking her if she was sure she was up to this under his breath. She assumed she must have been looking quite off by this point to have him ask her, and simply said.
"Nerves."
He could decide what she meant by that on his own. Standing across from Potter, with Malfoy paired with Granger, they drew their wands and assumed a dueling stance.
"Ready?" Snape asked, only a little viciously.
Nods all around, determined glares flying, and the entire class at the edge of its seat.
"Fine. Three, Two one, Fire!"
The curses were flying hard and heavy. The four students at the front had more than one up their robe sleeves, and we hell-bent on dropping someone on the other team.
"Petrificus Totalus"
"Rictusempra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"Jelligous!"
"Tarantellegra!"
"Sapukumonious!"
A silence fell over the room as the curses got nastier, and yet none of the four had fallen. So busy in firing their curses, no one had actually connected with the opponent. Snape held back, well away from the action.
"ENOUGH!!! " He hollered at them. " I sincerely hope that you never get called to duel, because your aim is horrendous and you would all be dead before you knew what had hit you. Now. Each will fire only once, aim directly at you opponent."
"Granger."
Glaring at Malfoy, muttering under her breath, she raised her wand and fired.
"Rictusempra!"
It was a direct hit, yet Malfoy did nothing.
"Malfoy."
A particularly evil look came to Malfoy's face.
" Sapukumonious!"
An angry red jet shot from Draco's wand, hitting Harry directly in the chest. He was momentarily surrounded by a glowing red light, and then it dissipated. Cassandra looked at Malfoy questioningly, while Snape glared at him murderously, muttering something about Granger having been his partner.
"A Japanese suicide curse. The receiver must find a cliff and leap off of it immediately. My dad taught it to me." He whispered to her. She was a little impressed, but mostly sickened that he would try it. She thought the whole thing reeked of Dark Arts, and that disgusted her.
"Caliga."
She readied herself, aiming straight at Hermione, who was looking defiant.
" Expelliarmus. " certain that it wouldn't work ,since Harry had survived his hit just fine, Caliga went for something tame. To her utter shock, Hermione's wand came zooming over to her and she caught it deftly.
"What the hell? " she asked.
"Well, done, Miss Caliga." Snape spoke through a thin-lipped smile, as Harry prepared his wand to curse her.
"Yes, Well done Cassandra. How proud we all are." A cold calculating voice came from t he back of the classroom. The hairs on t he back of Cassandra's neck went up, as her whole body screamed at her to run. The person from the ministry, their Guest today. She knew that voice. She knew it all to well, , and the last thing she heard was Professor Snape introducing their visitor.
"Class, May I introduce you to our guest from the Ministry of Magical Education, Mr. Octavious Ignoble."
Unable to turn around, Cassandra felt the blood rush through her ears and behind her eyes, blocking her vision. This was her nightmare. This was her reality. Octavious, here at the school. Octavious, who had sworn he would kill her should he ever see her again, the day her mother had kicked him out of the house. The floor dropped away from her feet as black swirls filled her sight. Her last conscious thought was ' he's going to kill me', and still clasping Hermione's wand in her hand, she dropped to the floor.
"Impedimentia!" Harry hollered, as Snape introduced the visitor. A jet of energy whooshed out of his wand, he was shocked to see the Slytherin student collapse to the floor, the curse completely missing her.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU HIT HER WITH, POTTER?" Snape snarled at the top of his lungs, leaping over to the fallen student.
"Nothing, Nothing!" Harry stuttered, backing away as Malfoy and Granger looked on in shock. Both Malfoy and Snape looked up at Harry with clear malice.
The Gryffindors and Slytherins were all in an uproar. Potions or none, the curses were flying like a winter snow. Chaos ensued, as Snape was too preoccupied trying to revive Caliga.
"Sir, he missed her. I saw the whole thing. She was already going down when he fired!" Hermione was not going to let Harry go down without a fight.
"I swear, Potter, If you did any damage, if you hurt her, you'll be sorry you were ever born." Malfoy sounded lethal. His eyes had gone a strange silver color, and his face was pinched with rage. "I'll deal with you myself, forget about my father! It'll make last night look like nothing at all!"
Harry sent Malfoy a warning look, glaring sharply at the Potions Master crouching over Cassandra. "I dare you." He slung back at the blonde boy.
" Mr. Ignoble, I'm afraid that you are going to have to leave now. I have my hands full with taking this student up to the infirmary. If you please. " Snape was in no mood to ask politely, no matter who it was. His scar was burning as if on fire, and even after a " Finite Incantum" the girl had remained motionless, proving that Potter was innocent.
"Go to the library and work on your group projects class!! We are done here for now!" He barked a the students, loud enough to scare those who hadn't yet gone up to the infirmary to be treated for their various curses, a good scare. The class left in a jumble, with only Potter, Malfoy, Granger and the unfortunate Caliga remaining with their Professor and the strange guest.
"I believe I asked you to leave." The venom was heavy in his voice, s he turned his smouldering black glare met the man's cool hazel eyes. He looked with loathing, casting silent curses onto the man in the navy robes. The three students looked on, wondering if the man with the sandy moustache was deaf or demented not to be flying out of the classroom.
"Are your classes always, this ….entertaining, Snape?" He asked coolly, turning to leave.
"I shall return."
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Snape muttered under his breath, bending over to collect up the unconscious figure on his Dungeon floor. "You three may come if you wish." He glared at the students involved in the fiasco, and swept out of the dungeon, the strange entourage following in his billowing wake.