November 15, 1973 - Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall wrapped her tartan robe tighter around her body, sending a quick smile to her favorite student. Cassie and others were standing in the courtyard, waiting for the rest of the leaving students to join them.

"How are you doing, Miss Nazyalensky?"

"Wonderful, Professor," Cassie answered, ducking her head. "I'm excited to finally get to go."

"The older students?"

"Yeah," Cassie said smiling. "Lucius and Cissa always bring us chocolates from Honeydukes."

Professor McGonagall's eyes grew troubled, and she reached out a hand to place on Cassie's shoulder. "Miss Nazyalensky– Cassiopeia, I'm worried for you."

Cassie's heart filled with fear. She hadn't told anyone about Davies– "W-Why?"

"Mr. Malfoy… I do not think he's the best influence for you, and for Mr. Snape."

Mentally sighing in relief, Cassie frowned a little. "Why would you think so? He's never told us to do anything bad."

The Professor sighed, looking older than her years. She glanced up, seeing Narcissa walking towards Cassie with a smile on her face. "Not right now, Miss Nazyalensky. If you wish to know, come to my office… in two days"

"Okay," Cassie answered, feeling a little hurt. How was she to reconcile her friendship with Narcissa and Lucius, and her favorite professor?

Severus joined her, as did Narcissa, apologizing for being late. He pushed his lanky hair back from his forehead, the strands greasy from the hours he had just spent over the cauldron. "The salve took longer than I thought it would."

"Is Remus sick again?" Narcissa commented. "That's a shame– missing the first trip."

"Yeah," Severus said, changing the subject from Remus' problem. "Are you meeting Lucius?"

"Oh," Narcissa said, blushing. "Yes. He managed to get away. I'm looking forward to seeing him."

"When are you two getting married?"

"As soon as school ends," Narcissa answered, her eyes turning dreamy. "It's going to be wonderful. Speaking of–"

Narcissa turned to the two of them, smiling warmly. "Would you like to attend?"

"O–Oh. We'd be allowed?" Cassie asked softly, her breath hitching. She'd always imagined herself at a wedding, but had never thought she'd get to go. "Really?"

"Of course. I'd be proud."

Severus and Cassie shared a moment between them. "We'd love to."

"Wonderful. We'll have to talk robes later, but let's go now," Narcissa said, running up a little to catch up to those who have already started walking towards the carriages.

"How far away is it?"

"The village? Hmm– fifteen minutes? We could walk, technically, but our feet would freeze."

"Yeah," Severus answered, wiggling his toes in his dragonhide boots. It wasn't snowing - yet - but the autumn wind was biting cold, permeating even the thick layers of their coats. Glancing down at his coat, his lips twisted briefly in distaste. While he hated accepting Lucius and Narcissa's charity, Severus knew he'd be much worse off only relying on the money his mother smuggled for him.

Cassie didn't seem to have quite as much pride, but then again maybe she didn't see these gifts as he saw them.

Narcissa gracefully jumped up into the carriage, holding out a hand to help the two of them up. She seemed to be in a very light-hearted mood, smiling at the smallest things. "Aurora? Want to join us?"

Rory ran up to the carriage, her cheeks red from the cold, and her breath coming out in cloudy puffs. "Yes. Thank you, Narcissa."

The carriage started moving as soon as she entered, and the four of them took the time of the trip to admire the landscape. Cassie rested her head on Severus' shoulder, and he fiddled with her fingers, feeling nervous about the trip, though he didn't know why. Was it that Lucius would be there? Severus missed the older boy, having become very good friends with him, and looking up to him greatly. Certainly, Lucius was more of a father to him than Tobias, and his approval mattered more. What would he want Lucius' approval for?

Lily? Severus blushed, but as his eyes turned to Cassie he felt guilty. He promised himself that no matter what, he and Cassie would remain best friends. And he'd protect her. Always.

Speaking– or was it thinking?– of, he was still worried about Cassie. It wasn't much - just little signs - but there was something wrong with Defense. Cassie always avoided his questions about it and became very reserved before and after the class.

But he didn't want to think so much about that. Today was supposed to be an exciting day of fun.

"We're here," Narcissa exclaimed, jumping out of the carriage even as it was still moving forward.

"Woah, Cissa," Cassiopeia admonished slightly. "Don't hurt yourself."

"Oh don't worry, Cassie. Come on, now. You have to explore, and Lucius should be here–" Narcissa flicked up her wand and cast Tempus, "–in twenty minutes."

"Where?"

"Madam Puddifoot's. It's… gaudy, but Hogsmeade doesn't really have the best places to go on dates. Hm– maybe Lucius should start a shop."

"Rory? D'you want to go to Honeydukes with us?"

Rory blushed hard, ducking her head. "Actually, I'm– I can't."

"Why?"

"Augustus asked me on a date."

Cassie pulled her friend into a hug, feelings of happiness and jealousy battling inside her. In the end, she didn't blame her friend for finding a partner– no matter how it would end. "I'm glad. Go have fun. Would you like to meet us, with Augustus of course, in a couple of hours?"

"I'd love that. Where?" Aurora asked, pulling away.

"The Three Broomsticks?" Cassie glanced to Severus, who nodded.

"Okay. We'll see you."

Aurora and Narcissa went off their separate ways, leaving Severus and Cassie standing in the chill.

"What do you want to do first?"

Severus really didn't know. The village was bigger than he'd expected, even with the stories he'd heard from the older students, and quite overwhelming. In the distance, he could see a crowd of Gryffindors gathered around the window of a shop. Against his best judgment, he felt the pull of curiosity. What were they fawning at?

"Want to see that shop?" Cassie asked, smirking. He'd definitely been staring too long.

"Sure."

As they moved closer, they picked up snippets of conversation, even though they could see nothing over the crowd.

"–don't even have one–"

"–gonna try out, Sirius?"

"–not cheap–"

Cassie glanced up to Severus, an amused smirk on her face. "Sometimes I wish I was taller."

"Like me?" Severus asked, raising his brow. He'd shot up over the summer, now towering a good two or three inches over Cassie's head. "No. I enjoy being taller."

Cassie huffed good-naturedly. "Yeah, that's pretty cle–"

"No way!" James Potter's voice rang out as he whistled sharply. "You're actually gonna buy that?"

"'Course," Black answered, and even though Cassie and Severus could not see him, they could hear the smirk in his voice. "Gryffindor will crush the other Houses this year."

Severus sighed, exasperated. "A broomstick? Of course. Why did I think Gryffinodors would get excited over anything else?"

"Come on. Tomes and Scrolls?" Cassie asked.

"Yeah. Books sound good."

"WIll you wait for a minute, Cassie? I just need to buy some fangs– I'll be back right out."

Cassie nodded, and Severus disappeared inside. She took the moment to see if she saw anybody, smiling when she saw a red-headed train, barrelling towards her.

"There you are!" Lily exclaimed, green eyes sparkling. "Where's Severus?"

Of course. "He's inside. Shopping."

Lily looked up into Cassie's blue eyes, sincere and flushed with embarrassment. "Cassie, c–could you," Lily stumbled, having to look down, "– could you ask Severus? If he would meet with me?"

"Alone?" Cassie asked, and Lily nodded. Wrapping her hurt around her like a cloak, Cassie nodded, hiding the pain. "Of course. I'll tell him."

"Thanks. You're the best. The Three Broomsticks in– an hour?"

"Very well."

Breathing deeply, Cassie dug her nails into her palms. She hated this– the constant disappointment, the constant hurt. It was enough, she resolved. If caring for Severus that way brought her so much sadness, then she didn't want to care anymore. It would have never mattered anyway, Severus would never see her as anything more than his childhood friend–

No. Enough. Stop wallowing in self-pity. Accept it and move on. Severus will be glad– no, he'll be overjoyed.

The thought lifted her, allowing her to relay Lily's message to Severus as he stepped outside of the door. His face broke into a large smile, as she expected, and he gave her a quick hug. "Cassie– thank you. I'm– I'm so excited. I never thought–"

"Of course."

Severus nodded, pushing his hair out of his face awkwardly. "Really. This means a lot to me. Thanks. Do–Do you have something to do? Do you want to go with us?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude– no, really. It's your date. And Rory's, I guess. You're going to have a double date."

Severus' cheeks went from lightly blushing to full-on red. "Oh, Merlin. I'm going on a date. A date. With Lily. I have no idea what to do."

Cassie hummed thoughtfully. "Buy her chocolates. Come on."

"What–" Severus yelped as he was dragged by his arm. "Why?"

"You're going to go on the best date possible." Because no matter what, the most important thing is your happiness

Their common room was deliciously warm after the biting cold of the outside world. The orange flames were dancing in the fireplace, and a fluffy blanket covered both Severus' and Cassie's bodies.

"I'm never going on a date again," Severus groaned.

"Did it not go well?"

Severus shook his head. "No, not at all. It was fine. Just– girls are exhausting."

Cassiopeia smirked. "Of course you'd think that. And Rory?"

"They seem happy."

Cassie smiled. "That's nice. So… you and Lily are together, now?"

"I– I'm not actually sure," Severus shrugged. "We'll see, I guess."

November 15, 1973 - Hogwarts

The next day, Cassiopeia had decided to meet with Narcissa. She didn't want to tell Severus; yet, at least. If this was true; he'd see it as a betrayal.

Even more, she'd wanted to find out right away, and right now Severus was resting in bed. James had bought a prank from Zonko's and had set it on Severus - a candy that caused his tongue to swell abnormally and turn deep-blue. Madam Pomfrey's advice had been to rest, and while Severus was already feeling better, his pride had been badly hurt, and he'd wanted to be alone.

Also, if there was somebody who knew everything about Lucius, it would be his betrothed; and Cassie trusted Narcissa to tell her the truth. She'd never lied to her.

"Narcissa, there's something you're not telling us," Cassie said out-of-the-blue, her tone making it clear that she had been thinking about this for a while.

"What do you mean?" Narcissa frowned, combing through the tangles in Cassie's hair.

"Professor McGonagall... she said something about Lucius."

Narcissa paused her brushing for a second before sighing, and putting down the expensive boar-bristle brush . "What did she say?"

Cassiopeia was serious as she turned to look into Narcissa's grey eyes. "She said that Lucius joined something bad. Very bad. An organization."

Narcissa cursed softly, turning away from Cassie. The younger girl frowned, reaching out and wrapping her lanky arms around the blonde. "I don't believe her, Narcissa. It doesn't matter."

"No," she sighed. "It–It's true. Why don't you sit down?"

The two girls sat down on Narcissa's bed, Cassie resting her read on Cissa's lap. The older girl ran her delicate fingers through her freshly-brushed hair, seemingly trying to gather her thoughts.

"Cassie… remember the Winter Ball?"

Cassiopeia turned her head towards Cissa. "Yes. Why?"

The seventeen-year-old swallowed hard, her fingers curling unconscious into fists. "That man. The one you met–"

"Amadeus?"

"No," Narcissa shook her head. "The one who took Lucius."

"Ah. Yes. You said he's someone important, and that we shouldn' talk to him."

Narcissa brushed a strand of raven hair from Cassie's face, cupping her cheek delicately. "Yes, you shouldn't. He's a bad man. A–a monster. I didn't want you to meet him."

"Then, why is Lucius… with him?"

"He doesn't want to. In the least. His father is forcing him."

Cassiopeia frowned. She wasn't idiotic enough not to understand why Lucius couldn't stand up to his father, but she hadn't realized that Abraxas would do something like this. "Will you tell me more?"

"Do I have to?" Narcissa asked, raising an elegant brow.

Cassie huffed slightly. "Please. I need to know."

"Very well," Narcissa answered quietly, brushing her hand over Cassie's head and back, almost as if she were a cat. "This man. His name– we call him the Dark Lord. He's powerful, probably the most powerful wizard in the world."

"More than Dumbledore?" Cassie asked incredulously.

"We believe so. He- He's a practitioner of Dark Magic. Bad magic. He's gathering a group of followers - purebloods; those that are sick of the new world order."

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.

"You see– Dumbledore, he's very open-minded. He allows Muggleborns to enter Hogwarts, and he's advocating for more rights for them, for better job opportunities. He wants to cater to them."

"And that's bad?" Cassie asked, thinking of Lily. She definitely wanted more rights for her friend.

Narcissa sighed. "The pure-bloods think so– well, most of them, at least. Thankfully, not everyone wants to join him, but those who do… they're extreme."

"And what do they even do?"

"When they join him?" Narcissa sighed. "A lot of bad things, Cassie. You don't need to know more."

November 16, 1973 - Hogwarts

"Miss Nazyalensky, would you like to come to my office, now?"

"No thank you, Professor. I already know."

McGonagall frowned at her, but nodded, something flashing in her eyes.