October 3, 1974 - Hogwarts

Severus stirred his cauldron thoughtfully, his brew not requiring too much attention. While his small improvements to several existing recipes were already many, he had yet to create an entirely new potion. Really, he had no idea what the process would look like, or what the potion would do. There were thousands out there already, chances were any idea he could come up with had already been done.

Currently, however, he was working on yet another improvement - this one to the Antidote to Common Poisons. Obviously, he did not want to be caught unaware again, but the original version had several side-effects, making his healing process quite unpleasant.

Yet another reason to be furious with Black, he thought, scowling angrily.

He finished stirring, placing the wooden rod on the countertop, and flicking off the flame. The potion would need to cool for the next fifteen minutes, and then he would be able to transfer it to his vials.

He prepared for a bit of a boring wait, theorizing other possible improvements. Unfortunately, he was soon interrupted by a knock on the heavy lab door.

"Yeah, come in," he called out, assuming it to be Cassie or Lily. Indeed, his dark-haired friend entered inside, with what seemed to be a newspaper between her fingers. "Is something wrong, Cassie?"

She didn't seem to hear him, a frown slowly marring her face. Her face paled, and she bit her lip worriedly; drifting over to his chair and sitting down lightly.

"Sev'rus. Did you hear?" she asked softly, the paper drifting down to settle on her lap.

"No, what?" he asked, walking up behind her and grabbing the paper.

Muggle Family Murdered, the headline read. Dark Magic Highly Suspected.

Below it, a picture of a ruined house, stood, white sheets stretched over five corpses laid out before it.

He felt a little sick and had to tear his eyes away; Cassie snatching the paper back.

"I didn't want you to read it," she chided, folding the image away, and tucking the entire thing into her robe-pocket.

"Cassiopeia," Severus said, frowning, her real name sounding odd in his mouth. "This– the Dark Lord did this. I'm sure. Lucius could have done it."

"You know it's not his fault," Cassie murmured, gently placing her fingers on his tense shoulder, and trying to comfort him. "Besides, he might be doing something else."

"I know," Severus sighed, sinking into his chair. "I just hate that he has to. And– I never thought I'd be living through a war."

Cassie bit her bottom lip, her eyes boring into his. "This is a war?"

He nodded, his eyes starting to drift from her eyes, lower. "And we need to be ready."

October 25, 1974 - Hogwarts

Cassiopeia rubbed her tired eyes, resting her forehead against the pads of her fingers for a few seconds. She closed the tome on offensive spells and gathered her work; too exhausted to do any more studying.

Defense had always been her most challenging class, but as the years passed, it grew harder and harder for her to still get good grades. It just– didn't sit right with her. Defensive spells? Fine. Good, even, especially with her additional practice. Offensive? She couldn't bear to practice on Severus, for fear of accidentally hurting him, and theory just simply wasn't enough in fourth year.

She sighed, extinguishing the small oil lamp she had lit. The library was bathed in sudden darkness, and she wondered why she'd waited until the day before the test to study - forcing her to sneak in after-hours.

Ah, right. She'd been busy helping Severus prepare for his date with Lily, in Hogsmeade.

"Lumos," she whispered, the bluish wand-light pulsing brightly before she managed to control its force.

Ears strained for any noise, she snuck out of the library, carefully closing the doors behind her with the barest of noises. As she walked the corridors, the adrenaline starting to die down, she observed the portraits, realizing that she'd never paid much attention to them - despite seeing them every day.

Most of them were asleep, she noted, which was probably for the better. One regal-looking witch, dressed completely in white, raised an amused eyebrow to her exploits, reminding her uncannily of Severus.

She sent a tired grin to her, making a note to try and see her again in the daylight.

Finally arriving at the first level of the dungeons, Cassie slowed a little. Unfortunately, through the darkness, it was difficult to remember just where to turn, and she accidentally snagged a toe on a suit of armor, cringing at the noise that followed.

"Who's there?" Filch's very unwelcome voice called out, and she froze, trying not to breathe. She hadn't thought he'd ever patrolled there. "Don't think I didn't hear ya."

Decision made, Cassie sprinted away from the caretaker's voice, trying to be as quiet and fast as possible, which was quite a difficult combination. The old Squib ran after her, his breath already heaving a minute later.

"Damn sneaking kids," she heard Filch curse from afar. "Find them, Mrs. Norris."

Oh bloody hell – she'd forgotten about the cat.

Not worrying about the noise, now, Cassie sprinted as far away as she could, casting a featherlight charm on her robes to ease her way; pulse beating heavily against her throat.

Taking a large leap, she just made it as the fifth-floor stairs started to rise. Mrs. Norris' green eyes stared angrily into hers, but the cat knew she couldn't take the leap.

Wiping the panicked sweat from her forehead, Cassie extinguished her wand, calming herself with deep breaths. As the stairs landed on the next floor, Cassie realized that she didn't have anywhere to go.

She couldn't– couldn't go back down to the dorms. Filch would catch her.

Was she supposed to sleep on the floor? Cassie thought, slightly hysterically. She couldn't do that. Wait– their practice room. She could sleep there.

The blue-eyed girl all but ran towards their classroom, quickly walking back-and-forth three times in front of the section of the wall across from the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. She and Severus truly had no idea why that was the way to enter, but it had worked every time before.

What if it didn't work now–

She sighed in relief as the door appeared, quickly entering inside. She was shocked, however, to see that instead of their normal practice-room, the door led to a bedroom.

It was fairly standard, she thought, with a simple, green four-poster, and rug; but it seemed cozy enough.

Too tired to care much, Cassie slipped off her robe and climbed into bed, her eyes closing as soon as her head hit the pillow - the fear and panic flowing out of her, even as her arms shook slightly from the adrenaline.

Several minutes later, she fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

Cassie's lashes fluttered open, immediately noticing that something was… off. She sat up straight, her head falling back against the headboard as she remembered where she was.

The room. Right.

Ugh. She yawned, allowing her arms to stretch. Panic was not a nice way to wake up.

What time was it? She really hoped it was early enough that Severus hadn't yet awoken. From the window, she could see there was still plenty of time before her first class, or even breakfast.

A clock she hadn't noticed last night pointed to 6:48, which meant she had a little less than one hour to study. And meal-time, of course.

She sighed, frustrated. While she didn't hate studying – really, she usually enjoyed it – DADA was just… terrible.

If only she was smarter. Like Severus.

A loud pop startled her, causing her entire body to flinch. Her head whipped to the side, to the source of the noise.

"What the hell?" she muttered, slipping out of the bed. On the nightstand stood a– tiara? It was a beautiful headpiece, made of silver and inlaid with dark-blue gems.

Cassie frowned, feeling a certain pull towards it. She thought she recognized it, although faintly. Had she seen it in a book?

But, more importantly, why on earth had it appeared?

She gently took it into her hands, somehow knowing that she was handling something precious. She felt fluttery; nervous and excited. She knew she had to keep it.

Maybe she'd show Severus–

Panic seized her throat and she couldn't breathe. No. She couldn't show Severus. She had to keep it secret.

Yes, she thought, feeling a deep sense of relief. She'd go down, hide it in her room, and then she might find a couple minutes to study. That was a wonderful plan.

November 2, 1974 - Hogwarts

Severus entered the infirmary, a tin of freshly-brewed salve for Remus' injuries resting in his hands. This month's batch of star-grass had been quite difficult to obtain, so instead of being ready the day before the full moon, he was running a little late.

Unfortunately, because he was the unluckiest wizard in Britain, Remus was not alone. Surrounding his bed stood Potter, Black, and Pettigrew; all looking quite concerned.

That's a rare emotion to see on Black's face, Severus thought, scowling. Why are they all here?

"Snivellus–" Black greeted, standing up from the bed. He stood in front of the werewolf's bed protectively, as if unknowing that Remus and Severus were good friends. "Get the hell out. Remus–"

"Ah, Severus, wonderful," Madame Pomfrey exclaimed, bustling out of her office. She shook her head exasperatedly at Sirius' glare, taking the salve from Severus with a gracious nod.

"Mr. Black, if you are unable to tolerate Mr. Snape's presence, I will kindly ask you to leave," the matron said sternly, shooing the Gryffindors away. "Mr. Lupin needs this salve."

Remus grinned with chagrin at his friends. "Yeah, guys. Meet you in the common room in a couple of hours?"

"Sure, Remus," Potter replied lightly, while Black glared distrustfully in Severus' direction. "C'mon, Sirius, Peter."

The boys left, the door shutting behind them ominously. As the mediwitch fussed over Remus' diagnostics, Severus raised a skeptical brow at his lying friend.

"I really don't understand why you're all still friends."

The younger boy flushed under Severus' intense stare, his hands starting to fidget nervously. Was he trying to hide something?

"Err… Well– Severus–"

Remus was interrupted by Pomfrey's confused hum, her wand slashing fiercely through the air next to him, calling up new diagnostics.

"Mr. Lupin… Is there a reason for the la–" the older witch paused, frowning slightly, "–well, almost lack of new injuries on your body?"

Remus was definitely hiding something. "Ah. I'm not sure that I'm– aware."

"Mhmm," the matron replied, clearly sensing that something was untrue. "Well then, Mr. Lupin, I don't disapprove, but I would prefer for you not to lie to me."

Remus turned red. "I–I'm sorry–"

She interrupted him with a tsk, shaking her head. "I don't need you to make up excuses. If it's something important, I know you would tell me."

The brown haired boy looked guilty, making Severus grin in approval of Pomfrey's methods. He was quite interested in Remus' lack of injuries as well, watching thoughtfully as the matron healed the two small scrapes on his arm, what looked like claw marks.

"Thanks, Severus," Remus said, his eyes gracious even as he cringed from the stinging pain in his arm. "Your potions are great."

Severus hummed, staring contemplatively at Remus. "You're welcome. But don't think I don't have questions - as soon as you're feeling better."