December 24, 1974 - Prince Manor
Cassiopeia was led into Eimear's study, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. This was the reason she'd first written to Severus' grandmother, a large part of the reason she'd accepted the invitation to stay. She'd been assured that no owls, no people could find her here; the Manor being Unplottable, and thoroughly concealed with blood wards.
And now, she'd been found by the family she'd least wanted to meet. Sure, Regulus was a fine enough acquaintance, and Lady Black had been polite enough at the Malfoys', but however much she tried, she could not forget some of the first words Sirius Black had spoken to her–
They'd probably disown me for even talking to a Muggleborn.
The words had not been proven true, although it was possible that the elder Blacks did not know of their eldest son's school activities. It had always struck her, however, just how seriously those words had been spoken. She believed him, then, and perhaps even now.
She hated Sirius; but she believed him when he spoke of his parents' extremism - something to which she was vehemently opposed. So to receive an unexpected letter from them, yet another inquiring about her availability–
Oh Merlin, what if they want me to marry Sirius?
Cassie brought a hand to her mouth for a second, the mere thought making her ill. What was she even supposed to do? Why did she even have to be a pureblood– was she even a pureblood?
"Cassiopeia? Calm down."
She took in a shuddering breath, willing her racing heart to quiet. Glancing across the dark-oak desk, she met Eimear's deeply gray eyes, seeming to find something reassuring in them. The nervous energy rushing out of her, she sank into the armchair.
"What do I do?"
"I'd say marry Black, but that might not be the best solution," Eimear replied, unfolding the creased parchment between her hands. "I'm less concerned about Walburga's inquiries, than the fact that our wards were breached."
She paused suddenly, her gaze sharpening. "Do you have any idea why that could be?"
Cassiopeia denied it immediately. The absolute last thing she'd wanted was for anybody to find her.
Eimear sighed. "I'll have Tiberius look into it. It's possible the wards against… certain… members of our family have weakened, and it wasn't noticed. Unlikely, but it's the only way I can think of right now. Now then, the letter–"
"But– why do all of these families even want me to be married to them? I know that most of them think I'm pureblood, but there must be at least somebody out there who knows? And, even then, I'm not even part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. I don't understand," Cassie said, her brows furrowing in frustration. She tried to imagine what they wanted from her, because obviously they wanted something. But– what?
She didn't have money, or fame, she wasn't brilliant, or especially beautiful. She just… was.
"To be completely honest with you, I am deeply surprised by the Blacks' inquiry. It could be that this is simply to check on your availability, and not because Walburga actually wishes for you to be married, but still….it is unsettling. The Blacks have not broken their tradition of purity for millennia, as I'm sure you're aware. It is unnerving that they should do so now, especially with–"
EImear broke off, staring with calculation at Cassiopeia for a few moments. "You wouldn't happen to be aware of… the Dark Lord?"
Cassie bit her lip, although her face betrayed her. Was she not supposed to know?
"You haven't met him personally, I hope?"
Eimear sighed, seeming exasperated, as Cassie nodded her head reluctantly. "I truly do hope you aren't the type to get yourself in trouble needlessly. Do you think he may have taken in interest in you?"
"Um– I hope not?" Cassie replied, thinking back to her encounter with the eerie man, although she usually tried not to remember it. "He asked me about Severus, and about the Malfoys. Oh, and also about our potions experiments…" Cassie frowned, "... I don't know how he knew about them. And about Transfiguration. But that's it. I don't think he seemed particularly interested in anything."
Eimear, in an interesting gesture, reached across the table and encircled Cassie's fingers in her own. "Darling, the Dark Lord… I've had the misfortune of meeting him. He is a skilled master of his emotions; you would not have been able to tell. I worry, because it is well-known that he, Orion, and Walburga are close. And if Walburga is seeking your hand for – … there is something sinister behind it. I don't know what, but mark my words it is there."
Cassie's heart dropped into her stomach, and she sighed heavily.
"Don't focus your mind on it, darling. Tiberius and I will figure it out - we're here for you."
Cassiopeia glanced at her hesitatingly, and smiled when she saw the acceptance in EImear's eyes.
"I'm sure you need a bit of distraction... Why don't you and Severus go to a café? France is safe, you needn't be worried. And when you come home, we'll have our Yule dinner. Hmm?"
"That'd be wonderful. Thank you."
Severus and Cassiopeia watched as Tiberius apparated away, staring at each other awkwardly for a second. Both bundled up in warm clothes, befitting the snowy weather, they stood just outside the entrance to a cozy-looking pastry shop, a few witches and wizards passing around them.
"I'm… surprised they're leaving us alone," Severus commented, brushing a few snowflakes from his dark coat. "Well, do you want to come inside?"
"Sure," Cassie replied lightly, feeling her fingertips already starting to freeze. She wasn't sure whether winter was quite her style, but at least the snow here - wherever she was - was actual ice, and not sloshy, muddy, barely-frozen rain.
Severus held the door open for her as she walked inside, and she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at the sweet gesture. She wasn't quite sure - actually, she wasn't at all sure - what the dynamics between were, but she still enjoyed whatever she could have.
"Do you even speak French?" Severus whispered to her, as the two of them made their way to a table in the corner of the room. The building was warm, filled with low-lights and soft music, and an absolutely delicious aroma drifting from the displays.
"A few words, but your grandmother said they'll understand English."
"That's good to know," Severus commented, taking in his surroundings. A few other people were sitting in the café, most dressed in typical warm woolen robes, although he observed that they seemed more fashionable than the ones he'd seen in Britain. They conversed quietly and seemingly politely, seemingly in stark comparison to the rowdiness of most of the food-shops that he'd ever been inside.
Although, most of those had been in Cokeworth, and Cokeworth was… different. It was different.
"Do you want me to order for you?" he asked, although he himself was not the most sociable person. He noted the quiet relief that shone on Cassie's face as he nodded, and felt… well, glad, that he could do something for her.
He made his way over to the counter, fishing some golden coins out of his coat pockets. Merlin, his grandparents had given him so much money. Not that he was going to use all of it, of course. But still, coming from four years ago, where he barely had a galleon to his name, to holding ten of them in his hand. It was bizarre.
He ordered quickly, simply getting two of everything that Cassie had wanted: coffee and some kind of pastry. She'd told him the name, her mouth twisting adorably as she struggled with the accent, but he couldn't quite remember– he'd simply pointed it out to the handsome waiter behind the counter.
Were all people in France beautiful? He wondered, walking back to his seat. If so, Cassie fit right in beside all of them - he could admit that at least, without feeling too much guilt.
Himself less so, but he'd like to think he'd accepted his ugliness long ago. Whether that was true or not, well… that remained to be seen.
"What are you thinking about?" Cassie asked.
Could he say it? Should he? "You."
His companion's eyes widened almost comically, her entire face flushing, even as she tried to hide behind her scarf.
"Don't say that, Sev'rus," she complained quietly, a small smile on her face. "I don't want to look like… I don't know."
"As if you weren't already. You were looking at me," Severus replied, actually curious what her answer would be.
"Am I not allowed to?" Cassiopeia asked flippantly, even as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of rose.
"You are," he answered. "Just wondering why you would."
Cassie's head rose, and looked at him incredulously. He met her eyes, and felt a dizzying sensation in his head, as though he was slipping into her mind.
Lights, memories, snippets of conversation flashed before his mind, no longer than a second or two at most. He saw himself as though through Cassie's eyes, felt a warmth in his heart that he was sure wasn't his, as his double walked back towards him, pastries in hand. That couldn't be him, could it? The Severus in front of him was handsome, with kind eyes. He was framed in soft light like an angel, and he smiled down at him with warmth.
Cassie blinked and the… memories?... stopped, disappearing from his head as if they'd never been there in the first place. "What was that?"
His companion frowned, rubbing her head softly. "I… don't know. I guess we'll have to ask someone."
"Okay," Severus answered, his entire train of thought derailed by possibly the most confusing thing he'd ever experienced. Had he seen into Cassie's thoughts? Was – that – how she saw him?
His thoughts were interrupted again, by the waiter bringing over their coffee. The dark-haired man smiled mischievously as he set their cups down, and Severus noted with a little exasperation and no small amount of embarrassment the beautiful milky hearts resting on the drink's surface.
"Thank you, sir," Cassie said with a smile, and the man grinned back.
"You two are adorable. Have a nice day," he answered simply, walking away before either of them could respond.
Cassie stared at Severus challengingly, as he looked into his coffee apprehensively. "Well? Are you going to drink?"
"Yes, just– why didn't you correct him?"
His friend shook her head, exasperated. "Can't I pretend?" she asked heavily, before shaking her head again to change the subject. "Come one, drink some. It's good."
It was. Warm, richly flavored, and sweet, it rested on his tongue before warming his entire throat as he swallowed. "They should serve coffee at Hogwarts."
"Isn't it supposed to make you energetic? I don't think we need any more of that," Cassie laughed softly. "Although it'd be nice. Especially on days like these."
They both quieted, staring at the softly falling snow outside. It was calming; peaceful in a way the two of them had not experienced in quite some time. Cassie, struck with a sudden need for comfort, reached underneath the table to grab Severus' hand. For a second he startled, but quickly took her now-warm hand into his own, rubbing his thumb against the back of hers in calming circles, a warm smile on his face.
Cassiopeia smiled back, unable to suppress her deep, deep affection for the person sitting in front of her. What would she have done had Severus not come into her life? She didn't even want to think of such a possibility. He was here, he was safe, and they were together. That was all that mattered.