November 25, 1972 - Hogwarts

"Cassie… remember what we talked about that night when–" Severus blushed, "–I snuck into your dorm?"

"Yeah."

"And what do you think? Professor Leianne's still not teaching us anything."

"Severus," Cassie said warningly. Leianne was Cassie's favorite teacher, and one of Severus' least favorite. Her sweet and kind behavior annoyed him greatly.

"I know, I know. But shouldn't we try to practice a little by ourselves?"

"No magic in the halls, remember?" Cassie said, though her tiny smirk belied her words.

"An abandoned classroom, then."

"And what would you have us do?" Cassie asked, lowering her voice as they passed a group of students.

Severus smiled evilly. "Lucius has been teaching me some things."

"Really?" Cassie asked. "Oh, that's why you were always so excited to see him… Well, what has he taught you?"

"Oh, lots, Cassie. He's amazing – extremely intelligent. I used one of his spells on Black, and you've seen that he's been leaving us alone."

"I did notice, but I'd assumed he was starting to mature."

Severus snorted. "Black? Mature?"

"You have a point," Cassie smiled, then looked down shyly. "Well, if you think you can teach me, I'll try…"

"I'm glad," Severus smiled awkwardly. "I just want to help you."

December 2, 1972 - Hogwarts

"What about this color, Cassie?" Narcissa said, holding up a swatch of shimmery blue material - one of the fifty or so that she'd received. It was the same shade as Cassie's eyes, and looked like silk.

"Blue?" Cassie asked.

"It contrasts nicely with your hair," Narcissa sighed. "I wish I had your hair."

Cassie grasped a tendril of hair between her fingers, examining it skeptically. She didn't see it, but she certainly didn't care for fashion as Narcissa did. Dark, wavy, and a little dry. It was fine, she supposed. From hearing the older girls, she had assumed most would wish to be blonde.

"Hmm. I don't know. Blue… it seems like such a… childish color."

Narcissa giggled. "You are a child, Cassie. But I agree. A little darker, then?"

"Maybe."

Narcissa pulled out another fabric scrap, gray eyes sparkling. "This?"

"I – Cissa – it's so pretty," Cassie exclaimed softly, grabbing the fabric from the older girl's fingers. It was soft and quite thick – like velvet, but smoother. The shade was dark blue, a bit lighter than that of the evening sky.

"I thought you'd like it," Narcissa said. "The ball will be a traditional one – winter-themed, I mean, so it'll probably be slightly cold. This fabric, and a longer cut…" she trailed off, her eyes growing distant as she envisioned the dress in her mind. "So this one, you think?"

"Yeah," Cassie smiled softly. "I'd love that."

"Oh, of course, love. You're going to be the prettiest girl there."

"You really think so?" Cassie asked, glancing down to look at her body. She didn't usually pay much attention to it, but ever since this summer she'd started noticing how different it was to the other girls'. She was much shorter than Calluna, certainly, and her chest was tiny compared to Aurora's. Her skin was dry, unlike Cissa's, and her stomach often seemed bloated, especially around her period. She grimaced in dissatisfaction.

"Cassie," Narcissa scolded, her tone serious. "Listen. When I was your age, I hated my body. Hated it. It got to be very bad. I– I don't want the same for you. Just– don't compare yourself to others."

"How?"

"I see it in your eyes," Narcissa smiled sadly. "You're beautiful Cassie. I'm sure Severus will start noticing you soon," she laughed.

"Cissa, can I ask? Who did you compare yourself to?"

"Love... ," she sighed. "It was Bella. Through no fault of her own. She's very beautiful."

"But you're beautiful as well," Cassie argued, looking confused.

"Thank you, Cassie," Narcissa replied, seeming reluctant to say more. "I think my mother started it. Bella has always been a little… off, and A–" Cissa's eyes flashed with panic, but easily continued, "–and so, I was the focus of her attention. Unfortunately, I think she preferred Bella's beauty to mine, and kept comparing us–" Narcissa's voice broke, and she blinked away tears. "I–"

"No, you don't have to say more," Cassie replied, hugging the older girl tightly. "I'm sorry for asking – I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry."

"Oh, love, it's not your fault. I just don't want what happened to me to happen to you," Narcissa said, then kissed the top of Cassie's head. "Now that's enough crying. I'm owling Angeline right away."

December 19, 1972 - Hogwarts, Greengrass Manor

"Will you not do something with your hair, Severus?" Lucius asked, examining Severus critically. "It would look better tied back."

"Meaning… you want me to look like you."

Lucius smirked. "Is that such a bad thing?"

"You've gotten Narcissa, somehow," Severus remarked, shrugging. Lucius hummed, tying the long, dark hair into a ponytail at the nape of Severus' neck. He stepped back, smiling in satisfaction. Severus' new dress robes fit him well, his hair was freshly washed, and his shoes were polished and clean.

"You look good, Severus."

"Thank you. I–" he blushed, looking down, "–I definitely wouldn't have been able to without your help."

Lucius clapped a hand on Severus' shoulder. "You're a good friend, Severus. I'm glad that we've gotten to know each other–," Lucius said, then paused, a far-off look in his eyes, and a smile on his face, "You know... cherish Cassiopeia. I am forever grateful for having Narcissa in my life, and cannot wait to make her my lovely wife. I've seen how positively that girl influences you. Keep her in your life – forever if you can."

Severus' eyes widened. "I–"

The older boy shook his head, interrupting. "I don't necessarily mean that, although... Just– don't say something to her that you'll regret."

"You–"

"I'm not saying that you will," Lucius interrupted again. "Not at all. I would just hate to see your friendship ruined."

"O–Okay," Severus answered, and sighed thankfully when a knock sounded on the door.

"We are," Lucius answered. "Go on, Severus. Show off for your friend."

The door opened, and Severus couldn't suppress a tiny intake of breath. Cassie looked… radiant.

"Do you like it?" Cassie asked, blushing. She turned her face towards Narcissa – looking amazing as well – as if worried that he would reject her.

"I love it, Cassie," Severus replied, blushing. Merlin, how could he go to the ball looking like– himself, with Cassie's beauty beside him?

"Thanks. You look really nice too, Severus," Cassie said, blushing as well. Above them, Lucius and Narcissa shared a knowing smirk.

"Come on, then. Professor Slughorn is closing the floo in a couple of minutes, and it wouldn't do for us to be late."

They walked down to their Head of House's office quietly. Severus tried to keep calm, but inside his emotions were going wild. What if he made himself look like a fool? What if the Greengrasses rejected his invitation because he wasn't a pureblood? What if Cassie–

"Stop panicking, Severus," Cassie said, grasping his hand. Her face was pale too, and her hands shaking, but she seemed determined. "We're going to be fine."

He nodded, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"There you are!" Professor Slughorn exclaimed, "Come on through, then."

"Thank you, Professor Slughorn," Lucius answered politely.

"No problem, my boy, no problem."

Lucius and Severus stepped through the floo first, disappearing in a whirl. Narcissa motioned for Cassie to step in, casting a charm to protect her dress robes from the ash. The younger girl bit her lip nervously, this being her first experience with such transportation.

"Don't worry, Cassie. Just throw in the powder, and say 'Greengrass Manor'."

Cassie steeled herself, and threw the powder at her feet, her heart jumping out of her chest when the flames flared violently and turned green. "Greengrass Manor."

A scream stuck in her throat, as she felt herself spinning out of control. She couldn't see anything, only flashing lights and spinning dust.

She stumbled out of the floo, feeling weak and panicked.

"Alright there?" Lucius asked, steadying her with his hand.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Lucius," she answered, trying to calm herself.

"Of course."

With a whoosh, Narcissa stepped out behind her, looking as graceful as ever. "You did well, Cassie. Now, come on. We're almost late."

They stepped through the large open doors, greeting the Greengrass family.

"Wonderful to see you again, Lucius, Narcissa," Raymond's mother said warmly. "And it's good to meet you Miss Nazyalensky, Mr Snape. I'm Vervain, and this is Calix. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you, Lady Greengrass," Lucius spoke and the rest nodded politely. Exchanging a couple more sentences, the four of them made either way towards the ballroom, where a crowd was already gathered.

"That's a lot of people," Cassie whispered.

"Agreed."

There must have been at least a hundred, all gathered in different groups, and conversing or dancing. The youngest seemed to be around their age, and the oldest seemed to be barely able to move.

The ballroom was also one of the largest places the two of them had ever seen, certainly comparable to the Great Hall. The floor was made out of smooth marble, and the walls were a glittering white. Suspended from the ceiling was a gigantic crystal chandelier, and around it, enlarged snowflakes hung in mid-air, creating the vision of falling snow.

"Wow," Severus commented quietly, impressed.

"It is quite a vision, isn't it?" Lucius asked. "Our Manor has a similar chandelier. I quite enjoy it."

"Lucius," Narcissa chided quietly, though she smirked. "It really is very pretty."

"And soon it'll be yours."

Narcissa smiled, kissing his cheek. "You're being sweet. Want to dance?"

"And the children?"

Severus mock-glared at him. "Hey."

"You two should dance as well," Narcissa said. "It's fun."

"Cassie?" Severus asked, unsure.

"I'd love to," Cassie replied, blushing.

The two of them walked onto the dance floor a little awkwardly. Next to them, Lucius started to lead Narcissa in a slow waltz, and Severus and Cassie followed their movements.

"You dance well, Severus," Cassie said quietly, smiling. While Narcissa had given her some lessons, she still felt far from confident.

"Lucius taught me."

"That's nice. Cissa did too, but she didn't know the–" Cassie blushed, "–man's parts very well."

"Lucius didn't even try to do them," Severus laughed.

They were interrupted by Raymond, who tapped Cassie's shoulder. "May I have this dance?"

Cassie glanced unsurely towards Severus, who nodded – though was unhappy about having to share Cassie. They'd only had two dances. "Of course."

"Thank you, Severus. I promise to return her to you soon."

As the two of them danced away, Severus was left standing awkwardly at the edges of the ballroom, unsure what to do with himself.

"Hey, Severus, right?" a boy asked, startling him. "I'm Regulus."

"Hello, Regulus," Severus replied, unsure why the youngest Black wanted to talk to him.

"You're bored? You look like it."

"A little."

"I get it," Regulus smiled. "These events have never been my favorite thing. But don't tell my mother."

"Of course," Severus replied, wary of any relation of Sirius Black's.

Regulus smiled wryly, grabbing a tart from a floating table. "I see the look in your eyes. I'm sorry for anything my idiotic brother has done."

Severus let out a startled laugh. "At least one of you can apologize without being forced to. But thank you."

"I knew it," Regulus sighed. "Really, Sirius is the bane of our family. I do wish he would stop trying to spurn our House at every opportunity."

"Is he here today?"

"Oh, no," the brown-haired boy shook his head, "Mother and Father didn't want to risk it."

"Risk it?"

"Sirius… is known for behaving like a fool at these parties. And I've overheard that there's an important guest coming – one that they don't want to embarrass themselves before."

"Oh," Severus said. "Lucius did mention someone, but he didn't want to say who. I wonder – "

"Severus!" Cassie exclaimed, running up to him, and throwing her arms around his shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked, immediately concerned.

"I just couldn't find you," Cassie said breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"

"Talking to me. Hello, Miss Nazyalensky," Regulus answered.

"Regulus Black?" she asked, tilting her head. She remembered him being sorted, but had not had much contact with the new first-years. He nodded. "Nice to meet you. Call me Cassiopeia."

Regulus smiled charmingly. "Then you may call me Regulus. Wonderful to meet you as well."

Cassie nodded, a little uncomfortable. "Severus, can we dance again?"

"Of course."

They left Regulus with parting nods, moving onto the dance floor. While still feeling a little… weird – being one of the youngest in the crowd – they were more confident, and Severus even managed to twirl Cassie, making her laugh out loud.

"Severus! That was nice."

Severus smiled, blushing. "I'm glad."

"How are you enjoying this?" Lucius asked from beside them, Narcissa resting her head on his shoulder. The position was so intimate, it made Severus want to look away, to preserve the sweetness of the moment.

"I'm liking it–" Cassie glanced down, blushing and smiling, "–especially dancing with Severus."

"Thanks," Severus said, blushing as well.

"I taught him well, didn't I?"

Cassie giggled. "Wonderfully. Thank you Lucius."

"Lucius? May I have a moment of your time?" a stranger asked, smiling charmingly. He was tall, thin and pale, with brown hair and strangely colorful eyes.

"Of course," Lucius answered, though his eyes flicked worriedly to Cissa and the two of them. "Excuse me."

They left, and the three of them walked off towards the back of the room.

"Who was that?" Cassie asked. The man had seemed nice enough, but she had a bad feeling about him.

Narcissa twisted her fingers in the green fabric of her dress nervously. "He– He's not someone to be talked about here."

"Narcissa?" Severus asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach. "What's wrong?"

"Not here," Narcissa said, shaking her head. "I'll tell you later."

"Alright," Cassie answered, before Severus could ask anything more. "Okay."

They stood in silence for several minutes, Severus and Cassie holding hands. They could feel the tension radiating off of Narcissa, and the way her eyes stayed on the door Lucius and the man had disappeared behind.

Finally, the two of them reappeared, and Lucius made his way over to them, Narcissa's shoulders slumping in relief. "What did he want, love?"

"He's ramping up recruitment efforts," Lucius answered quietly. "I'll tell you when we're at Hogwarts."

"Alright," Narcissa sighed, embracing the boy and melting into his body. "I'm glad you're back."

Severus and Cassie left the two of them, walking away only to be stopped by another person – a well-dressed older gentleman who introduced himself as Amadeus Rowle.

"And who might you two be? I don't believe I've ever heard of you," Amadeus said, sounding a little condescending.

Cassie moved behind Severus, forcing him to interact with the man first. "I'm Severus Snape, and this is Cassiopeia Nazyalensky."

While the man's face had shown indifference as Severus introduced himself, his eyes lit up at Cassiopeia's last name.

"Nazyalensky, you say?"

"Yes," Severus answered cautiously, Cassie still hiding behind him.

"My son, Thorfinn, had told me of you, but I could barely believe him – I thought your line had died out decades ago! How wonderful to meet you, then, Lady Nazyalensky."

"You too," Cassie answered quietly, uncomfortable with Amadeus, and angry that he had simply dismissed Severus because of his last name.

"How is it that you came to be at Hogwarts?" the man asked. "I don't believe your House has attended in – oh, goodness, ever, maybe. You were always recluses. Your parents decided to send you?"

Severus, completely irritated now, and especially angry at Amadeus for bringing up Cassie's parents, dismissed him. "Thank you, Lord Rowle, but we must make our leave."

They walked away quickly, determined to find Narcissa and Lucius again, and not to be stopped by anybody else. Finally they did, seeing them conversing with a beautiful, tall, girl, with warm beige skin, who held a fair resemblance to their friend, Augustus.

"Oh, hello, Cassie, Severus. This is Adelaide Rookwood."

"Borgin, now," Adelaide interrupted, her lips twisting in distaste.

"Apologies, Addie. I forget."

Adelaide smirked, waving her hand. "Don't worry. I prefer Rookwood anyway."

"You're Augustus' sister?" Severus asked, and smiled when the girl nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," she smiled. "If you want to see him, Augustus is somewhere near the dessert table. You should go find him."

Cassie glanced to Severus for permission, who nodded, smiling. "Let's go, then. I've missed him."