The Difference One Choice Makes
13th May 1994
Edward was sat at one of the desks in the library with piles of books and parchment notes around him as were dozens of other Fifth and Seventh Years all of whom were studying for their upcoming Owl and Newt exams.
His girlfriend Myranda Vaisey was sat next to him tucking some hair behind her ear as she looked over her own notes working out what to study for first.
Edward stopped looking over the pile of notes next to him to look down at his exam timetable.
O.W.L TIMETABLE
Edward Henry Potter
Monday 25th May 1994
Charms (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Charms (Practical) – 1 PM – 3 PM – Great Hall
Tuesday 26th May 1994
Transfiguration (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Transfiguration (Practical) – 2 PM – 4 PM – Great Hall
Wednesday 27th May 1994
Herbology (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Herbology (Practical) – 2 PM – 4 PM – Greenhouse Six
Thursday 28th May 1994
Defence Against The Dark Arts (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Defence Against The Dark Arts (Practical) – 2 PM – 4 PM – Great Hall
Monday 1st June 1994
Potions (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Potions (Practical) – 1 PM – 3 PM – Potions Classroom
Tuesday 2nd June 1994
Arithmancy (Theory) – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM – Great Hall
Ancient Runes (Theory) – 2 PM – 4 PM – Great Hall
Wednesday3rd June 1994
Astronomy (Practical) – 11 PM – 1 AM – Astronomy Tower
Thursday 4th June 1994
History Of Magic (Theory) – 2 PM – 4 PM – Great Hall
All students must be at their designated examination before the start time. You will not be permitted entry under any circumstances if you are late and will automatically receive ZERO marks for said examination.
As Edward placed his timetable back on the table and opened his Standard Book Of Spells Grade Five textbook to revise for his Charms exam which was their first exam he felt Myranda take his arm and lean into his shoulder.
"Care to share your Charms notes, the ones from second year?" said Myranda softly.
Edward turned to her with a soft smile on his face before handing her the notes she wanted.
"Love ya" said Myranda pecking his lips before she started to study the notes.
Edward chuckled and stroked her arm tenderly making her sigh.
"Working for the Ministry then?" said Myranda softly.
"Always wanted a job there… and what about you?" said Edward.
Myranda turned to him with a cheeky smile on her face.
"What about me?" said Myranda teasingly.
"What are you going to do after school?" said Edward curiously.
Myranda kissed him softly before placing her hands on his arms.
"I'll be a Lady of High Society Eddy… parties, social events and everything else" said Myranda teasingly.
"Is that it, aren't you planning on getting a job?" said Edward curiously.
Myranda turned back to the notes so she could start studying.
"A job… Ladies of High Society don't have jobs Love, most Men of High Society don't have them either… we're wealthy enough to live comfortably for hundreds of years" said Myranda.
"Wouldn't you want to have a proper job though, something worthwhile?" said Edward.
Myranda shrugged.
"Not really no, I'm happy just to spend the rest of my days enjoying the comforts of my Husbands Manor and entertaining my friends" said Myranda lazily.
"Husbands Manor… you have high expectations don't you?" said Edward.
Myranda turned to him and winked.
"A girl can dream Love" said Myranda teasingly.
She patted him on the arm before turning back to her notes.
"Come on… we either start studying, or have that Hag throw us out when we decide to do something different" said Myranda wickedly as she pulled him towards her so they could study his notes together.
25th May 1994
Feeling ready for his first Owl exam, Edward finished his morning cup of pumpkin juice before standing up and leaving the Great Hall with Cassiopeia, Myranda, Darren Petrie and Andrea Farley.
Once outside the Great Hall doors, they joined the rest of the Fifth Years who were waiting with a mixture of patience and nervousness to be called back in for their exam.
Nearly twenty minutes had passed before a short elderly Examiner named Professor Tofty who Edward recognised as the Examiner who used to oversee their end-of-year History Of Magic exams, hobbled out of the Great Hall and told them to come inside.
When walking back into the Great Hall they saw that all of the House tables as well as the Staff table had been removed and replaced with dozens of single desks and chairs which had their names on in alphabetical order. At the top of the hall, there was a large hourglass along with a blackboard that had the exam name, start time and end time on it.
"Find your seats please" said Professor Tofty as he made his way up to the end of the Great Hall.
Edward squeezed Myranda's hand for luck before he and Darren Petrie found their seats in the middle of the Great Hall and sat down, while Myranda found herself sitting near the back with Cassiopeia and Andrea finding their seats close to the front.
On Edward's desk was a large roll of parchment for his answers, bottles of ink and his exam paper which at the top read.
CHARMS Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination
Once everyone had taken their seats Professor Tofty waited for the clock to turn 9.30 AM exactly before tapping the large hourglass with his wand.
"Your exam has started… you have two hours to complete it!" said Professor Tofty in a clear voice.
Edward looked down at his exam paper and started to read the questions.
1a) Name the incantation.
1b) Describe the wand movement used to make objects fly.
He dipped his quill into one of the bottles of ink before he started to write his answer.
The incantation for the Levitation Spell is Wingardium Leviosa while the required wand movement is a swish and flick movement.
Edward looked down at the next question.
2a) Name the incantation.
2b) Describe the effects and one use of the spell used to create fire.
Dipping his quill into his ink once again he started to write.
The incantation for the spell used to create fire is Incendio and it produces flames of varying shapes and sizes depending on the intensity and focus of the witch or wizard casting it. One common use for this spell is lighting candles or fireplaces to provide light and warmth to a room.
He checked his answer, feeling satisfied that it was satisfactory and well detailed before moving on to the next question.
Two hours later…
"Quills down please, the exam is over" said Professor Tofty as the large hourglass was now completely empty at the top.
Edward, who had finished nearly fifteen minutes ago breathed a small sigh of relief as Professor Tofty used his wand to silently summon all of the students answer sheets to him landing in a neatly stacked pile on his right-hand side.
"You may leave now… your Charms Practical will take place after lunch" said Professor Tofty.
Edward stood up and turned around to Darren who was putting his quill and test parchment into his book bag.
Once he had put his own quill and test parchment in his book bag, the two boys made their way over to Myranda where the three waited for Cassiopeia and Andrea to join them.
"That was too easy" said Edward as they left the Great Hall.
Cassiopeia and Darren nodded in agreement while Myranda and Andrea breathed small sighs of relief.
One and a half hours later…
The five of them remained together outside the Great Hall waiting to be called in for their Charms Practical in complete silence. While they were being silent as were some of the other students, others were doing some last-minute practice with their wand movements or incantations which occasionally left them crossing paths with other students who were none too pleased.
Forty-five minutes later…
One of the other elderly Examiners walked out of the Great Hall to call the next group of students in for their practical exam.
"Montague, Michael… Peters, Lianne… Petrie, Darren… Potter, Edward… and Poulter, Leah" said the Examiner.
Edward whispered good luck to Myranda before he and Darren walked into the Great Hall along with the other students who had been called. The Great Hall was now mostly empty save for five Examiners who were stood by large tables with a small variety of objects on them in different areas of the hall.
"Mr Potter… you're with Madam Marchbanks over there" said the Examiner pointing to one of the tables in the back corner of the Great Hall.
Edward walked across the hall to where the very elderly Madam Griselda Marchbanks was standing waiting for him with one hand on an old wooden cane supporting her.
After taking one look at her Edward thought she was ancient and possibly deaf as well as looking like she could keel over and move onto the next great adventure at any moment.
"Mr Potter… are you ready to begin?" said Madam Marchbanks in a slightly loud voice which confirmed to Edward that she was slightly deaf.
Edward nodded and pulled his wand out.
"Good… now I want you to take this egg cup and make it do some cartwheels for me" said Madam Marchbanks loudly.
Edward just pointed his wand at the egg cup making it do three cartwheels before Madam Marchbanks stopped him.
Over the course of the exam, she had him demonstrate the Levitation Charm on a wine glass, change the colour of a common brown rat to an orange colour, use a Growth Charm on a pocket watch, give a teacup legs and use the Silencing Charm on a croaking toad among other charms.
By the end of the exam, Edward walked through the back doors of the hall to leave the exam feeling confident he had achieved an Outstanding grade.
Later that night…
"Who knew that you could find that many uses for Flobberworms in Potions?" said Euphemia a little louder than necessary as she walked back into the Common Room with Lacey and Ginny Weasley.
Had this been any other time than Owl and Newt season at Hogwarts no one would have cared how loud her words were as she walked back into the Common Room.
But during this time of the year, it was expected of students to be as quiet as possible in the Common Room where the Fifth and Seventh Years would be studying for their exams as it was right now.
"Can you keep your voice down Miss Potter, can't you see that people are trying to study quietly?" came the forceful, angry voice of the Head Boy Percy Weasley who thanks to his newfound status, criticized and punished students for every single thing they did that he deemed wrong.
The three girls turned to Percy.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb anyone" said Euphemia quickly.
Though by looking around the Common Room, barely anyone took notice of her, Lacey and Ginny as they were all too busy with their own studying.
"You should have more consideration for your Housemates at this time of year, ten points from Gryffindor and it better not happen again or I'll put you in detention" said Percy harshly.
"Don't talk to her like that Percy… it was an accident, it's not like she meant to disturb anyone" spat Ginny in a harsher tone than Euphemia had ever heard from the Weasley Girl.
Percy turned to his sister with a look of anger on his face.
"Do you want me to put the both of you in detention Ginny, if you three want to talk, go talk somewhere else" said Percy icily.
Ginny took Euphemia's arm and glared at her Brother before ushering the two Girls towards the staircase leading up to their dormitory.
"I swear… he might be my Brother, but the next time he talks like that to me, I'm going to smack him" said Ginny bitterly as the three Girls walked into their dormitory.
She practically jumped into a sitting position on the bed while Euphemia and Lacey sat down on their own beds with Lacey reaching into the bag under her bed for her personal supply of chocolate and sweets.
"When did your Brother turn into such a prick?" said Lacey as she opened a chocolate frog box and bit into the treat.
"Probably about the same time he got his Head Boy badge… but he's always been a bit stuck up" said Ginny wearily.
"Just a bit?" said Euphemia raising her eyebrow at her friend.
Ginny sighed as she caught a box of chocolate mice that Lacey had thrown to her before Lacey threw a chocolate frog to Euphemia.
She opened the box and ate one to steady her nerves for what she was about to say.
"We don't have much money at home, you know that… but we've got each other so the lack of money didn't matter to most of us" said Ginny wearily.
"Except Percy?" said Euphemia testily.
Ginny looked at her and nodded.
"Yes… Percy was different from me and my Brothers, we would spend most of our time playing outside, my Brothers would play Quidditch with our old broomsticks and Quaffle while I watched them, while Percy would spend all of his time in his room studying even though Dad would beg him to come outside and play with us, normally we'd only see him at mealtimes" said Ginny.
"That doesn't sound that bad, he might not be an outdoor person" said Lacey.
Ginny scoffed.
"That's the nicest part of what I'm about to tell you" said Ginny with a hint of dark amusement in her voice.
Euphemia and Lacey shared a look, wondering what Ginny was about to tell them that was so bad.
Ginny glanced at them for a few seconds before helping herself to another chocolate mouse.
"My Dad's got a lousy job at the Ministry, he's smart enough to get a more meaningful job that paid better if he wanted, but he likes his job, he likes working with Muggle things" said Ginny flatly.
"What does that have to do with your Brother?" said Lacey.
"Percy doesn't think much of our Dad's job… he's always banging on about how when he finishes Hogwarts he's going to get himself a top job in the Ministry Of Magic" said Ginny.
"That's awful" said Euphemia finding Percy's actions disgraceful.
Ginny let out a harsh laugh.
"Or in Percy's words… after graduating I'll get a proper job in the Ministry like in Department of Magical Law Enforcement or the Department of International Magical Cooperation where I can implement my ideas on how things should be changed and run, over the years I'll work my way up to become the Head of the Department… and finish my career by becoming the Minister For Magic" said Ginny in a pompous proud voice as if she were imitating Percy.
"Wow" said Euphemia in shock at how Percy could put his own ambition over his Family.
"He really does sound like a jerk" said Lacey in slight shock.
Ginny sighed and helped herself to another chocolate mouse, trying to avoid talking about Percy anymore.
28th May 1994
"It's for the best Hagrid" said Hermione softly.
"Buckbeak will be safe with him" said Janet.
"At least Lucius Malfoy can't have him put to death now" said Ron.
The three of them were standing outside Hagrid's hut on a slightly windy early evening with Hagrid standing next to them watching the scene before them with a solemn look on his face.
Also stood outside with them were Dumbledore and famed international Magizoologist and Author Newt Scamander, the latter of whom was slowly approaching Buckbeak after removing the chain securing the Hippogriff to the post in Hagrid's pumpkin patch.
The famed Magizoologist was in his early nineties with short, thinning grey hair and he was dressed in dark grey robes and gloves holding onto two dead ferrets which he would use to draw Buckbeak towards him.
Though Lucius Malfoy had been pushing hard to have Buckbeak sentenced to death when Hagrid went before the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures to plead his case, a case which would not have been possible without the help of the three children stood beside him. Dumbledore had come with the Gamekeeper to help him fight his case and a decision was reached that would spare Buckbeak's life.
An agreement that Dumbledore made possible by arranging for Buckbeak to be taken into the care of his former student and close friend Newt Scamander who was now living on his large estate in Dorset with his wife.
Newt and his now-retired Auror Wife Porpentina "Tina" Scamander nee Goldstein had settled in Dorser following the defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald by Dumbledore where they still worked with a variety of magical creatures to this day.
Hagrid wiped a few tears from his eyes as Buckbeak got to his feet and was rewarded with one of the ferrets from Newt Scamander.
"Come on Buckbeak" said Scamander walking backwards towards his open briefcase which had been fitted with expanding charms making it as large as the Great Hall on the inside.
Buckbeak followed him towards the briefcase eager to get at the second ferret in Newt Scamander's hand.
"Go on boy, in you go" said Scamander.
He took a step to the right of the briefcase before gently throwing the ferret inside causing it to disappear from the outside world.
Buckbeak hooted before jumping up and vanishing down into the briefcase and Newt Scamander used his wand to close, lock and summon to his hand.
Dumbledore placed his hand on Hagrid's arm in an attempt to cheer him up.
"Why don't you make us some tea Hagrid… and you three" said Dumbledore turning to Ron, Hermione and Janet.
All three of them straightened up under his gaze.
"Twenty points to Gryffindor each… for helping a friend in his time of need" said Dumbledore proudly.
All three shared looks of excitement with each other.
"You best head back up to the castle" said Dumbledore.
He turned to Newt Scamander who was ready to leave as Ron, Hermione and Janet started making their way back towards the castle.
"Come old friend… join us for a cup of tea" said Dumbledore before he moved towards Hagrid's door and opened it.
Newt Scamander checked his pocket watch before nodding to Dumbledore and walking towards the open door accepting the offer of tea with his old friend.
4th June 1994
"At least that's all over" said Cassiopeia as she walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest feeling glad that their Owl exams were over.
Andrea who was walking alongside her breathed a sigh of relief.
"No more Owl's… and two whole years before we have to take our Newt's" said Andrea sounding relieved.
"Which are even worse" said Cassiopeia.
Andrea playfully slapped her arm.
"Don't ruin it Cassie" said Andrea jokingly.
The sound of a twig snapping in the trees caused Cassiopeia to stop and whip her head in that direction.
"What was that?" said Cassiopeia sharply.
"Probably just a rabbit… it's nothing come on" said Andrea who took her arm, tugging on it in an attempt to lead her away.
Cassiopeia remained still for several seconds, checking the treeline for even the slightest bit of movement before she finally carried on walking.
She opened her mouth to say something to Andrea but something hit her in the back knocking her forwards.
The last thing she heard before it all went black was Andrea screaming her name.
Nearly an hour later…
"Wake up Cassie… wake up" Cassiopeia heard a soft voice calling out to her as she slowly opened her eyes to slightly blurred vision, seeing the outline of someone kneeling in front of her.
She could feel herself sitting on the dirty forest floor resting against a tree in a large clearing surrounded by small hills as she slowly regained consciousness.
As her vision slowly returned to normal, her heart rate increased and fear gripped her body as what appeared to be an older version of herself was revealed to her by her eyes.
Only this older version was pale, thin and gaunt with all of the vibrant life now absent from her blue eyes and she was dressed in dirty prison rags which meant that it could only be one person.
Bellatrix Black.
Her Mother.
"You're awake" said Bellatrix with the soft tone of her voice confusing Cassiopeia.
Where was the crazy Death Eater and murderer who struck terror into the hearts of witches and wizards. Where was the woman who murdered her first husband and many others after that.
Wherever she was, Cassiopeia did not see her in front of her at this moment.
Cassiopeia refused to open her mouth and talk, still feeling angry and bitter at her Mother, ignoring the small part of her that still sought her Mother's love after all the years they spent apart.
"Don't you recognise me Cassie… don't you recognise your own Mother?" said Bellatrix softly.
Cassiopeia glared at her Mother.
"What do you want?" said Cassiopeia bitterly.
"I wanted to see you" said Bellatrix softly as if she was unfazed by the way her Daughter was glaring at her.
Cassiopeia snarled showing her fierce side.
"So you attacked me and my friend… just so you could see me?" said Cassiopeia angrily.
Then it hit her.
"What have you done with Andrea, she better be okay" snarled Cassiopeia.
Bellatrix shrugged her shoulders and Cassiopeia saw that she had a wand in her right hand.
"I didn't want to do that to either of you… but rest assured, your friend is fine, she'll wake up soon, notice that you are missing and go back up to the castle to get help" said Bellatrix softly.
She glanced down at the wand she was holding as she noticed Cassiopeia's eyes glancing at it.
"It's not yours… I stole this from some drunk wizard months ago, nearly got caught that night as well" said Bellatrix.
Cassiopeia backed up against the tree.
"Why break out of Azkaban now… was it just to see me?" said Cassiopeia warily.
Bellatrix nodded.
"Yes… it was all because of you… just as you are the reason as to why I never lost my sanity during all those years in Azkaban, my love for you kept me sane when others in the High-Security Wing went insane as the years went by" said Bellatrix placing her hand on Cassiopeia's shoulder making the young girl freeze.
She wanted to push her Mother's hand away, she wanted to push her Mother away full stop but she could not bring herself to do it.
In her younger years, she had longed to feel her Mother's touch, especially after Ursula gave her the cold shoulder and her Father started to focus most of his time and attention on her Half Brothers which pushed her even further into the background.
Even after she had heard all of the horrible, twisted stories about what her mother had done and why she was given life imprisonment in the High-Security Wing of Azkaban, she still longed for her Mother.
"But… why now?" said Cassiopeia in shock.
Bellatrix reached inside the dirty pocket of her prison robes and pulled out a torn newspaper clipping.
She pushed it into Cassiopeia's hands who laid eyes on the moving photo and recognised it instantly.
The photo and accompanying article were from last summer when her Family had been personally honoured by Cornelius Fudge after her Father had made a rather generous donation to the Ministry Of Magic which had built a new magical fountain in the Atrium.
"It was the first time I had seen you since you were a baby… and I realised that in my absence your Father had neglected you in favour of his new wife and her children… and it lit something inside of me, like a flame that made me want to see you in person, so I escaped from Azkaban the next night when the Dementors opened my cell door to feed me" said Bellatrix as Cassiopeia looked down at the photo where she was stood a few feet to the side of Lucius, Ursula, Lucan and Corvus as if she were a distant cousin to them rather than a Daughter and Sibling.
Like they did not want her there as part of their family.
She looked back at her mother as she slowly handed the newspaper clipping back to her.
"Why did you choose your duty to your Master over me?" said Cassiopeia sadly with a few tears in her eyes as her emotions got the better of her.
Bellatrix looked into the sad eyes of her Daughter and felt a great pain throughout her body.
"I've made many mistakes, but that was the one I regretted the most… choosing the man I used to call Master over my own flesh and blood, even your Father for all of his faults knew better than to choose the Dark Lord over his Daughter… though part of that may be because he was desperate to avoid Azkaban" said Bellatrix, voice laced with regret.
She wiped a few tears from Cassiopeia's eyes.
"I haven't been the Mother you deserved, I can't apologise enough for that… I wouldn't blame you if you told me I didn't deserve any forgiveness for my actions" said Bellatrix regretfully as she looked into her Daughters eyes which reminded her of how beautiful she was in her teenage years.
Cassiopeia looked into her Mother's eyes, watching the life come back into them before she nodded.
"Come here sweetheart" said Bellatrix pulling her Daughter into a hug.
Cassiopeia wrapped her arms around her Mother accepting the loving embrace.
They stayed like that for a good few minutes, both of them relishing the chance to feel each other's touch once again.
"I should have been there for you… all these years you needed me and I wasn't there, I'm sorry" said Bellatrix as she held Cassiopeia's head against her shoulder.
Cassiopeia rubbed her head against her Mother's shoulder not caring about how dirty or smelly her Mother's prison rags were.
"You're an Animagus aren't you… you can turn into a raven" said Cassiopeia softly.
Bellatrix kissed her forehead softly.
"I've been watching you all year… and I'm glad you were smart enough to suspect that what you were seeing was no ordinary raven, I watching you so I could be sure that you were safe, even if I couldn't talk to you" said Bellatrix softly.
After another minute or so, the two of them separated and stood up.
Cassiopeia took a deep breath with a slightly worried look on her face.
"Grandmother told me… that Father has been pushing for the Minister to order a Kiss on sight penalty for you, she told me that the Minister is going to agree to it" said Cassiopeia sounding worried.
Bellatrix placed her hand on Cassiopeia's shoulder and opened her mouth in an attempt to reassure her before she felt her wand fly from her hand.
Both of them looked towards the top of one of the small hills seeing two familiar figures in the treeline both of whom had their wands pointed at them.