April 2, 1974 - Hogwarts

Lily was staring at her. Again. Damn it.

Cassiopeia put her head down to her parchment, using her long hair as a shield from the other girl's piercing green eyes.

"Cassie? Can we talk?"

"No, thank you, Lily."

Severus, previously oblivious to the tension between them, glanced up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Cassie replied curtly, drawing a dark line through a misspelled word.

"I don't know," Lily said, sounding confused. "Cassie's ignoring me."

The raven-haired girl sighed harshly. "I'm not. You– I just can't."

"You're not making any sense," the younger girl replied.

Cassie didn't want to talk about this now. In fact, she didn't want to talk about this ever. She was tired and frustrated with her work - Arithmancy was the worst - and Lily couldn't understand. To be honest, Cassie couldn't either, but–

"You don't know what you've done."

"Yeah," Lily said, with a sarcastic tone. "I don't know!"

"You– You did something. It's not your fault, but–"

"But what?"

Cassie was frustrated. How does one tell their friend that they had been forced to do something, and then Obliviated of that knowledge? How does one tell their friend that it was their fault she couldn't go near the Gryffindor populace - for fear some people would call her a whore and a slut, without allowing her to defend herself? How does one tell their friend how much it had hurt her, how much pain it had caused her- but there was nothing Lily could have done?

The anger and hurt flowed out of her, her shoulders slumping. She shouldn't be taking her emotions out on Lily– shouldn't be angry at her for something she didn't even remember. "I'm sorry, Lily. I'm just tired. I promise I'm not trying to ignore you. Just– I just want to go to bed."

Lily still looked confused but nodded, going back to her work. "Goodnight, then."

Hoping that Severus didn't notice her strange behavior, Cassie slipped away from the library. Walking through dark, deserted corridors scared her now - thank you, Professor, for taking yet another thing from me - whereas before they had been beautiful and peaceful; but she made it to her dorms safely.

Aurora slept peacefully as Cassiopeia changed into her soft gown, looking angelic. Smiling bitterly, Cassie wondered whether she would ever find somebody to care for her - in that sense. Aurora had Augustus, Narcissa had Lucius, Severus had Lily–

Why do you even care? We're fourteen. Just because they're dating doesn't mean they'll be together for life. And stop your self-pity. It's pathetic.

Her head hitting the pillow, Cassie wondered where it had all gone so wrong. Not to be misunderstood, Hogwarts was better, much better than Coke Worth would ever be. But Cassie had thought Hogwarts would be a safe haven, a peaceful place for learning; not– this.

A knock on the door disturbed her thoughts. "Come in."

"Cassie?" Severus asked softly, slipping inside.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, drawing back her curtains. In the early moonlight, Severus looked ethereal, like a Roman statue, as he stood next to her bed, a worried expression on his face.

"You think I'd just forget how you were acting?" he asked, climbing into the bed next to her.

"Umm, Severus– I'm pretty sure Lily will object to this," Cassie whispered. Severus flushed, shaking his head.

"It won't matter. But that's not important. Cassie–"

The girl snuggled into his chest, a frustrated noise escaping her. "I don't feel well," she muttered.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Just– stay with me?"

Severus wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tight. "Always."

June 22, 1974 - Hogwarts

Things being as they were, a new DADA teacher was never found. Instead, Headmaster Dumbledore taught them, or rather helped them review for the end-of-the-year tests.

Severus, studious that he was, scored quite well, with his lowest score an A in Ancient Runes - which he promised himself would get better next year. Cassie and Remus had gotten very similar scores, funnily enough, Os in Transfiguration and Es in Defense. Cassie, however, was much better at Potions than Remus, scoring an O next to his measly A. And Lily, of course, performed exceptionally in Charms; Professor Flitwick singing her praises to the entire school.

But now with everything over, Severus and Cassie were waiting at Spinner's End. Neither Lucius nor Narcissa would have enough time to pick them up, too busy with the wedding preparations, so they had enlisted the help of Augustus' sister - the newly widowed Adelaide.

Severus was quite thoroughly impressed, because even though everybody knew the reason for Perseus' death, new suitors were even now clambering for her attention.

The loud crack of Apparition disturbed the waiting pair, making Severus slam his forehead against the glass of the window. Cassie giggled, grabbing his hand and dragging him outside, yelling a goodbye to his ma.

Of course, as soon as Adelaide turned to her, she blushed, ducking behind Severus.

"Hi, kids. Nice to see you again," she greeted, holding out her hands. "Come on. Cissa and Lucy are waiting for you."

The two of them grabbed a hand each, holding on tight. Fairly new to Apparition, they knew how uncomfortable the sensation.

Crack!

They landed on the steps to Malfoy Manor, Severus looking to Adelaide. "Lucy?"

The older girl laughed, taking them inside. "He's acting like a drama queen. All dressed up and still worried that Narcissa will change her mind."

A house-elf greeted them at the door, bowing low. "Master Lucius is in the changings room and Almost-Mistress Black is with her dressing-maid in her guest-bedroom, Miss Addy."

"Thank you, Dobby," Adelaide replied, making the house-elf's eyes fill with tears. She shook her head with an exasperated smile, "Would you mind bringing Severus to Lucius, Dobby?"

"No! Not at all, Miss Addy!" Dobby replied fervently, grabbing Severus and disappearing with him, causing Cassie to startle.

"Is that normal?" Cassie asked.

"Of course it is," Addy replied. "Now come on. The other bridesmaids are already getting changed."

"Cassiopeia!" Narcissa exclaimed as the two of them entered inside her opulent room, moving to greet her. She was stopped, however, by her tailor, who was adjusting the back of her dress.

Kimani sent a quick smile to Cassie and she smiled back, but it took her a second longer to recognize the second person in the room.

"I still can't believe you asked a third-year as your bridesmaid, Cissy," Bellatrix Lestrange sighed, adjusting her unruly black curls in a large mirror. "Hi, kid. You look like a stick."

"Bella," Narcissa scolded. "Cassie, let Kimani help you put on your dress."

Adelaide pushed the timid girl lightly towards the Middle-Eastern girl just putting in her earrings. When she finished, without warning, she flicked her wand, stripping Cassie of her clothes.

The younger girl yelped and tensed, waiting for the comment she knew would be coming.

Instead of saying anything, however, Kimani just sent a sympathetic glance at her, turning her body so that nobody else would see the yellow bruise on her back.

"Here it is," she announced, summoning a large swath of light pink fabric. Carefully, she helped Cassie step inside, using her wand to make small adjustments to the length and shape.

Finally finished, she led Cassiopeia to the nearest floor-to-ceiling mirror, instructing her to admire herself.

Wow, Narcissa really knew her way with fashion. Shyly, Cassie twirled, watching in fascination the gentle swirl of the tulle. The skirt of the dress reached her mid-calves, and the top was a simple, yet beautiful one-shoulder neckline. Cassie was in love.

"Don't think you're done yet," Addy exclaimed from the other side of the room, and Cassie turned to Kimani with wide eyes.

"Of course not. Your hair is a beauty, it would be a shame to just leave it down. Now come here."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Manor, Lucius, Severus, and the rest of the groomsmen were just finishing getting dressed. All of them were wearing traditional dress robes, but Lucius' were the only black ones, the rest of them wearing dark blue.

Lucius, as Adelaide had said, was fretting greatly, seemingly unable to be calmed.

"Severus, what do you think? Will she change her mind?"

The younger boy had to laugh, shaking her head. "Lucius, Narcissa is smitten with you. You should hear how she praises you to Cassie."

Lucius raised an interested brow, smoothing his robes for the thousandth time. "I'd be very interested to hear that. But thank you, Severus. And Cassie and you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You really don't see it?" Lucius asked incredulously. "That girl is smitten with you."

"W–What?" Severus asked. Cassie liked him? But– "But I have a girlfriend."

"Oh, I hadn't heard that. Well, who is it?"

"Lily."

Lucius made a dismissive noise. "No, she isn't right for you."

Severus made a noise as if to interrupt him, but Lucius shook his head. "No, really, listen to me. I'm not saying she's not a good person, but she's just– Cassie and you would make a much better match. Think about it."

"Okay, I will," Severus answered reluctantly, filing the thought away in the back of his mind. He would mull over this later, now was not the time.

A house-elf popped into the middle of the room, the same one that had brought him there. Dobby. "Master Lucius, it is time for all of yous to come down."

"It is?" Lucius asked, taking a deep breath. "This is it, then."

"Good luck," his tailor said, and Lucius seemed to steel himself. "Come on, then."

Lucius, Severus, Rodolphus, Raymond, and Evan all made their way downstairs to the ballroom where the guests were already gathered, standing around and talking.

Filled with nervousness, Severus stood where he was directed, in front of a gigantic crystal arch. The girl stood on the other side, also arranged by height, meaning he stood directly opposite Cassie, who was trying her best to conceal her fear; looking angelic in pink.

"You're okay?" he mouthed, breathing a little easier when she nodded in determination. It spoke to how much his friend cared for Narcissa and Lucius, that she would put herself in the position of being exposed to an entire crowd, to show her support of them.

As the noise started to die down, Severus kept his eyes on Cassie, making sure she was still okay. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lucius wringing his hands nervously, then stilling when the doors opened.

Narcissa looked… stunning. She was dressed in a flowing, white, lacy dress, and she smiled radiantly, her eyes only for Lucius.

Her father handed her off to Lucius, and the Minister began the ceremony.

All in all, it had been short but beautiful, and even he had felt tears filling his eyes as the newly wedded pair stared at each other with such emotion. Now, it was the time of the reception, an event very similar to the Summer Ball at the Greengrass' last summer.

"You look beautiful," he muttered to Cassie as they danced a slow waltz together. He observed her reaction, trying to see whether Lucius had been correct. His friend blushed deeply, stepping closer to him.

"Thank you, Severus. You look very handsome."

Well fuck. What was he supposed to do now? He'd never thought even one person would come to care for him, let alone two. Maybe it's just a fluke, he argued with himself, trying to find a way of such a difficult situation. He didn't want to hurt Cassie's feelings - far from it. And he did have to admit that he found her beautiful. Don't think that! She's just your friend, nothing more. You have a girlfriend!

But what would it be like if she was more?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he felt a stab of self-disgust. One girl not enough for you? I thought you loved Lily, and now you want to replace her?

No, not at all! He loved Lily–

"Oh hello, Snivellous. Dancing with the whore?"

Of-fucking-course.

"Shut up, Black."

It was too late, Cassie broke away from his hold and walked away as fast as she could, disappearing behind a door.

He growled at Black, who didn't look at all guilty that he had just made a girl cry. "Why the hell did you have to do that?"

Black smiled falsely. "Can't I do something nice for you, Snively? Sluts shouldn't go to weddings."

"She's not a slut," he answered as calmly as he could, that hated nickname flying over his head. "That's a rumor, that somebody started–"

"I'm supposed to be watching you, Sirius!" Regulus Black yelled exasperatedly, interrupting him. "Stop trying to lose me."

Regulus glanced between the two of them, sighing. "Damn it, Sirius. What did he do?"

Unsure whether to trust him, Severus recalled their friendly interaction at last year's ball, and their friendly acquaintanceship during the school year. "Your… brother called Cassiopeia a whore and a slut."

Regulus' face twisted in disgust as he stared at his Gryffindor brother. "Really, Sirius? I expected better from you."

"Like I care what you think," Sirius answered flippantly, though hurt flashed in his eyes.

"Mother will be ashamed."

The older Black's expression changed in a moment. "No. You're not telling her."

"I am. Unless…" Regulus looked around, "...Cassiopeia tells me not to. Where is she?"

"I don't–"

"She ran off," Severus interrupted. "I'm going to go find her. Thank you, Regulus, for dealing with him."

Regulus nodded, and Severus walked towards the door where he had seen Cassie disappear. Unfortunately, when he tried the handle, he discovered it was locked and warded - which meant that somebody was there with her.

That could be very bad. Who could he ask…?

His sharp eyes found Lucius and Narcissa, who were talking in the corner of the room.

"Lucius? Narcissa?" he asked quietly. "Cassie disappeared behind–"

"I know, Severus," Lucius answered, his eyes on the door. "Remember the man I told you about?"

"The Dark Lord?" Severus asked, raising one brow. "Of course."

"He's here."

And Cassie's with him. "W-Why?"

"I'm not sure, Severus. It's possible one of our fathers invited him without our knowledge," Narcissa answered quietly, grabbing him and pulling him closer to her. "But you shouldn't worry. He won't hurt her."

"And how can you be sure?"

"She's pureblood," Lucius answered, glancing down at him. The 'and you're not' was clear. "But you're our guest. He knows that you're extremely talented, for a half-blood."

"For a half-blood?" he asked, hurt outweighing the pride of Lucius' praise.

"Sorry, not how I meant that. He's interested in you, the older years have informed him of your advanced ability in potions– he knows that you brew for Slughorn."

"I hope you don't mean that he wants me to join him."

Lucius stayed silent for a second, his eyes falling to his left arm; causing Narcissa to squeeze his arm in reassurance. Severus wasn't sure what that meant.

"Not right now," the blonde boy finally said, "But recruitment's important to him, especially now. Most of my class have already joined."

Severus was about to ask whether he had joined too - officially - but at that moment the door opened, and Cassie and the Dark Lord exited the room. The tall, handsome man nodded to Narcissa and Lucius; and disappeared into the crowd.

"Are you okay?" Narcissa asked worriedly. "Why on earth did you go in there?"

Seeing Cassie getting ready to evade, Severus interrupted her. "Black insulted her."

"Sev–"

"That fucking–"

"Lucius! No swearing," Narcissa scolded. "I'm going to Walburga."

"Narcissa…" Cassie said softly. "This is your wedding."

The older girl wrapped her hands around Cassie. "No, I'm done with his behavior. He has to learn."

"Thank you, Cissa. That means a lot."

"Of course, love. But don't think you won't be telling me what happened. We were worried. Okay?"

"Okay."

August 1, 1974 - Hogwarts

Cassie and Severus stayed at Malfoy Manor for the rest of the summer. While Lucius' father, Abraxas, had pointedly ignored Severus' presence, he was soon gone - retiring to a chateau in Scotland, and leaving the Manor to his son.

Finally alone, Severus and Cassie soon noticed a difference to the way Narcissa and Lucius acted towards them. While before they had been nurturing, now they had adopted a role as substitute-parents - perhaps trying to practice for their own eventual roles as parents.

And while Severus enjoyed the attention - especially all the activities he and Lucius did - Cassie seemed to revel in it. While she usually acted her age; around Narcissa, she became extremely childlike, which, while endearing, was also difficult to watch. It hurt Severus to realize how much Cassie had craved the presence of parental figures, and that of a stable home. While he didn't have much, he at least had his Ma.

But in the end, he was glad to be able to spend a summer entirely with Cassie, even if he didn't yet know what to do regarding her feelings. But he'd deal with those later. For now– summer.