November 6, 1974 - Hogwarts

Out of the window, they'd seen Black and Potter trudging through the grounds; bruised and bleeding, but leaning against each other with a seeming camaraderie.

Madame Pomfrey hadn't wanted to let them go, but conceded that it would be much better for them to leave the infirmary before they arrived. After plying them both with potions, she'd sent them to the Headmaster with the explicit instructions to inform him of the events that had transpired.

Severus was quite reluctant to do so, obviously, even though he and Cassie had agreed it was necessary - especially if they didn't want Black to go to him first with some twisting of the truth. Severus was too pragmatic to believe Black would ever admit to trying to kill him - even only two Slughorn, Pomfrey, and the headmaster knew about the poisoning incident.

Ascending the stairs to Dumbledore's office, given the password by the matron, the two studiously avoided discussion of their kiss. Cassie, especially, seemed embarrassed of what she had done; and so the walk was held in silence.

"Come in, Mr. Snape, Miss. Nazyalensky," Dumbledore's kindly voice proclaimed, the doors to his work room swinging open with a flick of his hand. "What is it that you need? Madame Pomfrey informed me that something has happened."

Cassiopeia shifted uncomfortably, lowering her eyes to the floor. There was something unsettling about looking into the old wizard's all-knowing blue eyes.

"There was an incident with the Whomping Willow… was there not?"

How did he–

"Yes, sir," Severus answered, his next words coming with an undertone of anger. "Black tried to attack me."

The wizened man stayed silent for a moment, and the whizzing and whirring of different devices permeated the silence of the room. "I… see. And how was Mr. Black given the… opportunity to attack you?"

The raven-haired boy had to keep from snarling at the Headmaster, because though his tone seemed calm and kind, his words attacked him with a great swiftness.

"I followed him, sir. He promised he would reveal how it was that Remus sustained no injuries during the last full moon."

"Ah, yes. Your werewolf friend," Dumbledore noted. "And tell me– was the secret revealed?"

"He's an animagus," Cassie said quietly. "A giant, black dog."

Instead of the condemnation he was looking for, the Headmaster's face seemed to glow with approval and pride. "Really? I must say that's impressive."

"He tried to kill me!" Severus exclaimed in outrage, unintentionally causing his companion to shrink back in fear from him.

The older man frowned deeply, sitting down slowly in the stuffed armchair behind his ornate, wooden desk. "There is no reason to get heated, Mr. Snape."

As expected, the statement did not make him calmer, but Severus tried to control his emotions. Breathe deeply, he thought. Clear your head. "Of course, sir."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. May I be informed, though, as to how you managed to escape?"

"Cassiopeia," Severus answered without hesitation. "She untied me and helped me get back to the castle."

"Mhmm," Dumbledore hummed, his gray eyebrow rising slightly with skepticism. "And how did you, Miss Nazyalensky, know where to find Mr. Snape?"

"James Potter," Cassie replied, her eyes flashing with anger. It was clear what Dumbledore wanted. "He was in the library when me and Aurora were discussing it. He heard, and I went with him."

The Headmaster paused for a second, surveying the two of them. Above him, portraits of former headmasters and mistresses peered down, but contributed nothing to the discussion.

Finally, he sighed deeply. "You should be grateful for Mr. Potter's assistance, then, should you not be? I must say he may even be within his rights to claim a life-debt."

A band of panic squeezed Severus' chest. Would Potter take the chance to have a pet snake follow him around? Moreover, why should he be able to claim a life-debt but not Cassie.

She's the one who saved him, after all. However, as he opened his mouth to ask, Dumbledore spoke again.

"I must tell you, I'm afraid, that this event must not be spoken of with anyone."

"What?" Severus asked angrily. "Why on earth not?"

The Gryffindor steepled his hands. "Think, Mr. Snape, of the damage that would result were somebody to investigate our Whomping Willow. Worse, were they to discover your dear friend; in his less friendly form. Your peers' parents would raise outrage, and I would be forced to expel him, unfortunately."

"And what if I do?" Severus asked flippantly.

The blue-eyed wizard's face grew cold. "That is not possible. I will ask you to promise me to never speak of these events again, or you will leave this room with no recollection of them. Your choice?"

The teens exchanged the smallest of glances, and Cassioepia felt her hands start to shake in the folds of her robes. Was the Headmaster actually threatening them?

"W-We promise not to tell anybody," Cassie said, frowning sadly when Severus looked at her, annoyed. "Can you punish Black, at least?"

"I'm afraid I cannot," Dumbledore stated, rising from the chair and walking slowly towards the exit. "All detentions are meticulously recorded, and he has no reason outside of this to receive a detention."

Was the man blind, or simply oblivious to the nature of his precious golden-child? "Sir–"

"I'm afraid I have very important paperwork I need to get back to," the man interrupted Severus, showing them out the door. "I will see you at breakfast, tomorrow. Goodnight."

The door shut behind them with a clang, echoing across the dimly-lit stairwell, and the two children made their way downstairs, each mind a whirlpool of thoughts.

Severus lay in bed, shaking, the usually comforting darkness of the room now serving only to frighten him further. The calming draughts had worn off by now, their false sense of comfort leaving him with only the still-present fear. Unable to allow his body to rest, Severus could only try to process his experience - however unwilling he was to do so.

Gods. Swallowing against the tightness of his throat made him feel sick, and he rubbed at his forehead, as if trying to will the memories away. Gods.

He thought he'd been over the break-down, but tears spilled unbidden from his cheeks.

Turning, he pressed his face into the pillow, hoping it would absorb his hitching breath and his messy sobs. He wanted–

His ma. He wanted his ma to cuddle him as if he were a toddler still, to hold him tight and keep him safe from the world. A wave of intense homesickness washed over him.

Fucking pathetic.

And anger, frustration, realizing that all of this was his fault. That Cassie could have gotten hurt - it was a miracle that she hadn't - and it was all because he'd been stupid enough to believe Black. Fucking Black. And she'd saved him, uncaring about putting herself in danger for him.

And then she went and kissed you, his mind added unhelpfully.

"Shut up," he hissed into his pillow, feeling his breath hot against his face. He didn't want to think about that. It was too confusing, too guilty. A tangled mess of emotions and he had no idea where to start unraveling them.

Like, for instance, with the fact that you have a girlfriend? Whom you supposedly love?

I do love her, he argued, angry that even his thoughts were against him, trying to make him feel even worse. She's beautiful, and kind, and smart, and popular. She's perfect.

And yet you wanted your 'friend' to kiss you again?

Well– Severus blushed, frustrated. Yes. Her lips are soft. And she's– she's always there.

So you're saying she's comfortable? Available?

Y-Yeah? Severus stuttered, confused.

Wow, Severus. 'Cause every girl wants to know you're only dating her 'cause she's there, his mind mocked.

I'm not trying to date her.

'Cause you're dating Lily–

Yes.

–and cheating on her.

Severus growled. Fuck you– me– whatever. It's not even my fault. I didn't kiss her -she kissed me.

Great excuse, Sev. And you think Lily's gonna believe that?

Well– yes. Of course.

He'd tell Lily, and she'd forgive him. He knew that. But would it put a strain on their relationship? And what should he tell Cassie? Sorry– but I like Lily more? Was that even true? He didn't fucking know.

Severus turned his head to the side, wiping the drying tears from his cheeks. He knew he should be exhausted by now, but he could never go to sleep like this - with these kinds of thoughts swirling around his head.

Know what? Fuck breakfast. He didn't even want to see Dumbledore's twinkly fucking face.

He'd go and grab a Dreamless Sleep from the lab; see what time he'd wake up.

November 18, 1974 - Hogwarts

The ceilings of the hallways were painted on. Epic battles between knights; feasts and mathematical equations; dark skies, stars, and constellations. They were different everywhere she went.

She wondered if Rory knew; if not, maybe she'd tell her.

Restless and exhausted, Cassie trailed through the corridors, head tilted to the sky. Was it even possible to be both? Her sleep had been bad these last few nights; dreams of black dogs sinking jaws into pale flesh, her father shaking her, Severus lying dead at her feet–

Enough, she said firmly, closing her eyes against the memories. Too much time had been spent dwelling on them; nights, quiet moments, whenever she got a flash of his face.

The fourteen-year-old sighed, running a hand through the messy plait of her hair.

"What bothers you, child?"

Bloody portraits, Cassie thought, spinning around, pretending that she hadn't been scared.

"Wh–" her question died in her throat, and she took a careful step forward. It was the lady-in-white again, sitting on her pale-grey chaise. She seemed more intrigued, perhaps, than concerned, but Cassie found herself replying anyway.

"I'm… unsure what to do."

A smirk played at the corners of the woman's lips. "Of course you're not. You're a child. Seek the guidance of your elders, Cassiopeia. They are wise."

"That's some pretty shite advice," Cassie blurted out, tiredness keeping her from minding her tongue.

Fortunately, the lady seemed to take no offence, laughing lightly instead. "I assume you think of the Headmaster, in which case I agree."

Cassie nodded, and the woman smirked. "I mean somebody more along the lines of Minerva. Lion though she is, she is more intelligent than most. Go to her."

The girl dipped her head. "I will. Thank you."

The woman smiled for a second before her eyes turned stormy. "Do not speak to things of importance in these halls. The Headmaster has eyes everywhere - don't underestimate him."

"I–I won't," Cassie stuttered, and the lady stood to exit her frame. "Wait!"

"Yes, child?" she asked with a smirk, turning back to her.

Blushing, the blue-eyed girl asked her question. "What's your name?"

"Althaia."

And then she was gone.