June 5, 1973 - Hogwarts

"The star grass– the star grass has to be picked at the full moon. Why didn't I notice that sooner?" Severus asked himself, bottling the last of his salve, an exhilarated smile on his face. It had been months, and now, it had worked.

Finally getting to rest, he plopped down onto a lab table, the lack of sleep catching up to him. He covered his mouth, suppressing an unexpected yawn. He knew he shouldn't be working so late, but this potion was extremely time-sensitive and delicate. He'd decided not to wake Cassie for that reason, feeling more comfortable working alone in his lab and not having to worry about being disturbed.

He did kind of wish to have somebody to share this moment of victory, though, whether that be Cassie, Aurora or Lily.

Oh Merlin. Even thinking about Lily brought a flush to his face, making his cheeks warm. He didn't understand why, but his red-headed friend was now constantly on his mind, making it difficult to concentrate. Sometimes it even irritated him, but obviously Lily had no hold on his subconscious. It was only his own stupid mind.

He sighed harshly, the high of euphoria falling. There was just something that had changed between them – him and Cassie - but he had no idea what. He'd tried asking her, but she always insisted it was nothing, so he didn't bother pressing her, like he had Remus. It wasn't too bad, just a little… tense.

So his mind turned to Lily, desiring to spend even time with her. He sought her out in class, pairing with her sometimes, while Cassie and Aurora practiced on themselves. He set times to meet with her on the weekends, even showing her his lab. He didn't know whether she'd enjoyed it – Lily was fonder of more 'magical' subjects, like Charms – but she'd seemed curious at least.

The golden cauldron had fascinated her, to be truthful, which was a slight disappointment. Cassie, at least, had fawned over the shining pewter; but he couldn't hold it against her.

Especially when she looked at him with those big, green eyes…

His thoughts took a dark turn, making his heart constrict in self-hatred. Who was he, to lust after his friend; fantasizing about her while she didn't even know– when she didn't reciprocate his feelings? Why– Why did he have to be such a horrible person, that he couldn't get her off his mind. Damn him. Damn him and his selfish mind. Was there no way to control such unwanted thoughts?!

But they aren't completely unwanted…

August 7, 1973 - Cassiopeia's Home, Cokeworth

Cassie uncurled from her sleeping position on the floor, her neck aching. She rubbed at it, and the black-and-blue bruise covering her shoulder, her eyes bleary. What time was it? She glanced out of the tiny window, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that she hadn't slept in too late, exhausted from yesterday's fight. She still had time to sneak out to Severus.

Glancing down, she grimaced at the filth beneath her fingernails, sighing. She knew Severus wouldn't mind, but she hated to look so bad in front of him– not that it mattered anyway–

Gritting her teeth in frustration, she fought to suppress frustrated tears. She was so tired, still, disappointed and miserable. She wasn't angry at Lily - at least she didn't think so - but why was Lily more attractive to Severus?

She was kinder, probably, with an easier life, - a Gryffindor; vivacious, popular and bubbly, always laughing, always smiling. She wasn't shy, she was good at DADA, she didn't try to hide behind Severus when meeting new people, she didn't have trust issues–

Cassiopeia laughed bitterly, dejectedly; suddenly feeling much older than she really was. Of course she wasn't a Gryffindor, of course she was a cowardly Slytherin. If she was brave, she would have told someone, anyone - a teacher, the Headmaster - and would have saved Severus and her from their harsh lives. But she couldn't. For some reason - some reason she hated herself for - she still felt a shred of hope that maybe her father, the one Ma had fallen in love with, was still there, hidden, underneath that… man… all along.

No there isn't, her mind taunted her. But, you know… he wouldn't have been this way if your mother hadn't lied. If you weren't a witch.

"I would never give up my magic," Cassie muttered to herself. "And Ma hadn't meant to lie."

But your father had to give up his perfect life because she tricked him. He would have been perfectly happy without her, but she ruined him. And now he's stuck with a child he never wanted– a weak, pathetic, dumb, bitc–

"Stop it," she whispered. The words taunted her in her father's voice, whirling around her head. She just wanted to be back at Hogwarts, back home; where the nightmares had started to fade, where she got to leave her worries behind–

How selfish are you? Her mind scoffed. Severus doesn't get to stop worrying. Tobias could hurt Eileen at any moment, and he wouldn't know, wouldn't be able to help. At least your mother is dead. Be grateful for that.

"No," Cassie whispered, swallowing through the lump in her throat. "I don't want her to be dead…"

You would prefer for her to end up like Eileen? Beaten down and terrified to entice her husband's rage? Covered in cuts and bruises? Do you really think that Henry would just forget what she did to him?

"She could Obliviate him."

Cruel bitch, the voice replied sharply. You would take away a man's memories without his consent?

Cassie frowned, the thought piercing her heart. No. Never. "I could ask him..."

Incredulous laughter sounded from the back of her head. You think he would allow you? Merlin, you're stupider than I thought. And to think that Obliviation would solve everything? Gods...

"What wouldn't it solve?"

Don't you remember what you read? Obliviation is an art requiring an extreme level of finesse. Performed badly, or even at the level of an average wizard, it can leave behind feelings, especially those deeply rooted ones. He'd grow to resent you. Resent you and her. And with good reason. But it doesn't matter anyway. She'd dead. Because of you.

"No! She isn't–" Cassie gasped, her fingers curling into fists.

If you didn't have magic, he wouldn't have found out.

She couldn't take the thoughts anymore. She couldn't! Breathing deeply, Cassie tried to calm herself, separating those thoughts from her mind. She didn't want to think about these things, she just wanted to go to Severus, to cuddle with him, to feel his calming presence. She wanted out of this house, with its oppressive presence and the darkness that it brought out in her mind.

She didn't even care if Severus spent the entire time talking about Lily. She just wanted to be with someone that she knew cared.

September 7, 1973 - Hogwarts

"Line up, everyone. In front of my desk," Professor Davies instructed, walking into class with a flourish. As the third-years, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, stood up to obey, the former Ravenclaw continued his lecture. "As I informed you two days ago, this year we will be studying Dark Creatures. Unfortunately, you are too inexperienced yet to learn the art of curse-breaking, my passion. Pity. Now, many of you will vastly underestimate them, and approximately three of you will die each year because of it."

The students glanced at each other, confused, but also intrigued.

"You may not think that matters, but it will matter to those who will die," Davies said harshly. "Now. How do you protect yourself? One of the most common dark creatures that you will encounter is the Boggart. Each of you have most probably had one in your house at some point."

Auberon's face looked deeply insulted by that presumption, which made Severus have to work to conceal his smirk.

"As such, I expect you to know what it is. Mr. Rookwood?"

Augustus seemed surprised to have been called on. He was generally silent in these lessons, passing underneath the teachers' radar. "A shape-shifter, sir. One that turns into your greatest fear."

"Correct. In a minute, you will be brought into my office, where you will try to defeat a Boggart that I have captured. If you succeed, two points will be granted to your house."

The Ravenclaws and Slytherins surveyed each other, both Houses highly competitive. Cassie and Severus, however, met each other's eyes, finding the Boggart much more important. What would it reveal? And worse, what would the Professor see?

"Ready? The incantation is 'Riddikulus' - no specific wand motion needed. Your goal is to overcome your fear with laughter, by forcing your Boggart to take a humorous shape. I will be going by your last name, backwards. First up is… Mr. Snape. Come with me."

Severus sent a panicked glance to Cassiopeia, totally unprepared. She tried to look reassuring, but the fearful gleam in her eyes betrayed her. She was worried.

"Mr. Snape, would you prefer for me to exit the room? Encountering a boggart is a deeply personal experience."

Thank Merlin, Severus breathed in relief. "Yes, please."

"Very well," Davies nodded, already closing the door behind him. "Use Alohomora to unlock the drawer when you are ready."

The door shut with a quiet snick, leaving Severus alone and unsure. His heart beat quicker as he raised his wand, knowing that the longer he took, the more people would speculate.

"Alohomora."

In an instant, his father was there, leering over Severus, a broken beer bottle clutched in his hand. Lying on the floor was his Ma, unconscious, and bleeding; Cassie kneeling over her, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"She's dead, Severus," Cassie said gently, before she turned her face to him, a cold smile on her lips, and a gleam of hatred in her eyes. "You shouldn't have trusted me. I killed her."

"No!" he cried, knowing in his heart that it wasn't true. He trusted Cassie implicitly– but what if? No. Never. "Riddikulus."

His spell failed, but Eileen and Cassie were gone, now. Instead, it was Lily standing in front of him, her eyes wide and pleading, as Tobias held her delicate throat in his calloused hands.

"Please, Sev," she croaked out, and he lunged towards her, only to be met by air.

It's not real, he thought feverishly to himself. I can save her. Not real. Not real. Think– what's funny? Nothing! Lily– flowers. "Riddikulus!"

By some chance, by some miracle, the spell worked. Tobias' meaty hands were replaced by giant, soft petals, which were useless to do anything.

He laughed slightly, but it was only in relief. The door opened, and he exited back into the classroom, knowing that he probably looked like a pale mess.

Vaguely, he heard the next name being called, but the images were too vivid in his head for him to do anything but stare dumbly in front of him.

"Alrigh', Sev'rus?" Cassie asked, clearly worried if her accent was any proof.

"Yeah," he whispered, grabbing her hand and squeezing. "Don't– you'll be fine."

"I hope so," she whispered back, blue-eyes wide.

"Miss Nazyalensky," Professor Davies said, his tone decidedly different from the one he had used in the classroom. "How… fortunate for me to meet you."

"W–What do you mean?" Cassie asked, already fearful of being alone with an older man. Immediately, her mind jumped to the worst possible conclusion– oh gods, what if he wanted to–

"Nothing much… I just haven't seen a Nazyalensky at Hogwarts in many, many years."

"Oh," Cassie answered, relieved. "Yes, the last time–"

"The last time that happened, your great-grandfather killed mine, then disappeared off the face of the Earth," Davies snarled.

"What?" Cassie asked, completely shocked. She'd had no idea of such a thing, and was scared and confused about why Davies was telling her this. She wasn't responsible, after all. Right?

"Why do you think your family went into hiding?" he growled, and Cassie took a step back, terrified. "Your cowardly ancestor didn't want to go to Azkaban. He knew he had no excuse."

"I didn't know," Cassie whispered, trying to control her panicked breathing as Davies advanced on her. She didn't know who she was seeing anymore, the teacher or her father, or some kind of monster. "Please. Please don't hurt me."

The Professor laughed, leaning away. "I'm not an idiot, you know. If I hurt you now, I'd get fired or worse."

Cassie didn't speak, waiting in fear for the 'but' that was surely coming.

"Instead, why don't you show me your boggart?" he asked, smiling knowingly.

"I–"

"Now. Alohomora."

Why was Henry here? Cassie thought fearfully. Severus?

Henry smiled cruelly. "How… fortunate to see you, girl."

"D-Da?"

"Oh, yes. I was just talking with your friend here," he explained patiently, clapping a hand on Severus' shoulder, who looked at her with cold eyes. Something was wrong.

"W-Why?"

"Oh, you know, he just wanted to tell you something. Didn't you, Severus?"

Severus stepped forward, but it wasn't her Severus. He was dressed in a fine cloak, with his hair looking freshly cleaned. His skin was almost translucent, and as he reached a hand out to her, as if to grasp her cheek, it was at this moment she saw it. A band on his finger, a band of gold with a giant ruby inlaid in the center.

"You noticed," he remarked. "Yes. I married Lily. I chose her. Did you really think I ever wanted you as a friend? I only used you, then kept you out of pity."

Cassiopeia felt her heart break and her hands start to shake in the feeling of betrayal. There was something, something in the back of her head, telling her that Severus would never do this, telling her to break the spell, but she couldn't focus on it.

It's just a Boggart! Defeat it! It's not real!

She pointed her wand at Severus and at her father, hand shaking. No matter how much they hurt her, she didn't want to hurt them.

"Riddikulus."

No, stronger. Think of something funny.

"Riddikulus!"

She couldn't do it! Nothing was working, and she felt herself losing herself to the fear and sadness in her thoughts. She couldn't breathe, couldn't see—

He was gone! Her head fell forward, slumped in relief.

"Pathetic," Davies said, sneering. "Not that I expected any better from you. It is interesting, though. You're afraid that that Snape boy will leave you, and of your father. He beats you?" he asked casually.

"I–" Cassie started to say something, anything, to refute it, but he interrupted her.

"You deserve it. And that Lily…. Evans was it?"

"N-No."

He laughed. "Of course. It's obvious that he'll choose her over you. After all, who would want a girl as pathetic as you? One who who can't even defeat a mere Boggart?" he taunted.

"Stop it," Cassie cried, frustrated. "I'll tell Dumbledore."

The Professor's countenance changed in a second, going icy-cold. Quick as lightning, he grabbed her collar, bringing her face to his.

"Don't you dare," he hissed. "Tell anyone and I'll know. And then you can kiss your precious Severus goodbye. Understood?"

"Yes," Cassie whispered, terrified, and he released her, his face twisted in disgust. Opening the door, he pushed her towards the classroom, and called the next name.

As if in a dream, Cassie walked over to Severus, who looked concerned.

"Cassie. You're pale," Severus whispered, seeing his friend. She was shaking and her eyes were hazy, as if she was on some type of drug, "You were in there for so long- and he didn't come out. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she answered slowly, trying to contend with what had just happened. She was scared out of her mind and she wanted to tell someone, but– "Don't worry."

"Did he… see something?"

"No."

"Cassie, are you okay?" Severus asked. She wasn't acting normally.

"I am."

Unsure, he replied cautiously, promising himself that he would keep an eye on her. "If you really say so."