January 29, 1975 - Hogwarts

After she'd regained consciousness, some minutes later, Cassie had first tried to clean up the scene of the confrontation, holding her head gingerly upright. The spell Lily had cast - one they'd learned just earlier in the year - had caused a giant blast, knocking her away, but damaging part of the stone wall as well. She couldn't just leave the wall broken, so she fixed it up as best as she could, even as every spell left her on her knees, dry heaving as she fought from being sick.

She hadn't felt much better since then. After fixing the bathroom, she'd used her rudimentary knowledge of healing spells to clean the wound on the back of her head, sealing it against infection, and hoping that it would heal on its own. Except for that, there was nothing much she could do.

She refused to give them the satisfaction of going to Madame Pomfrey.

Unfortunately for her, the pain didn't stop. The headaches came at her in waves, pounding at her temples for hours before abating; as if they'd never been there in the first place. It was almost enough to make her want to ask for help.

That urge disappeared, however, when she caught sight of Lily and Marlene giggling to each other, as if they were the best of friends - her and Cassie's previous friendship seemingly forgotten.

She felt betrayed, that last part of her that held out hope utterly crushed, but her anger overpowered it. She didn't like feeling angry, but the emotion let her focus on something else - distracting her from her hurt. It let her stop crying in the evenings. She was sure Aurora was grateful.

Her friend hadn't seemed to notice her ill health, but Cassie didn't blame her. She'd tried her best to hide it, and Aurora was busy with Augustus, and with her advanced Astronomy class.

Yet, somehow, Professor McGonagall had noticed; pulling her into her office after class, and plying her with biscuits and tea. They'd planned to have their first Animagus session of the new year today, but the Professor seemed reluctant to begin the month of Mandrakes when she was feeling unwell.

Cassie, that being the last thing she wanted to do, deflected all her inquiries, insisting that she felt fine. Her last migraine had been an hour later, she should be fine.

"If you're sure, Cassiopeia," the Professor conceded finally, her eyes rising to the door when a knock rang out. "Ah, come in Mr. Snape. I was just about to ask Cassiopeia where you were."

To his credit, Severus did nothing more than nod graciously, sitting down on an armchair and graciously accepting a cup of Earl Grey.

"Apologies for being late, Professor. I was… delayed."

The witch pursed her lips, seemingly coming to the correct conclusion. "Was it Mr. Black again?"

"Pettigrew as well."

The Professor's brows rose in surprise, as did Cassie's. She'd seen the Gryffindor before when she'd been attacked, but only lurking in the shadows. Just close enough to see and laugh, just far away to run if the others were caught.

"I shall give them both detention this next weekend," she stated with conviction, but frowned when Severus shook his head.

"Don't bother, professor. They'll know I told, and they'll only get worse."

She seemed unconvinced, but nodded in acquiescence. "And you, Miss Nazyalensky?"

She shook her head, feeling the weight of Severus' gaze heavily upon her. She regretted not simply speaking, though, as she felt her temples spark with pain.

"I'm glad," McGonagall sighed. "And have you been able to visualize your Animagus form, Mr. Snape? Cassiopeia has just informed me of hers."

"I have," Severus answered quietly, and Cassie bit her tongue to keep from asking. When had that happened? And, why hadn't he told her?

She wasn't allowed to dwell on this for long, however, as the Professor soon spoke again.

"Very well, then, let us begin."

The process was simple, the older witch explained, reiterating what both of them had read over the winter break. A Mandrake leaf was to be held at the roofs of their mouths for an entire month, beginning on the day of a new moon, which would later allow the transformation to take place.

It was the reason they'd scheduled the first lesson so late; wanting their mentor to instruct them on the first day.

"I have your leaves right here," the witch announced, placing two small, almost round plants on the coffee table in front of them. "I'm afraid they had to be nicked from the Greenhouses. Professor Sprout is unfortunately too curious for her own good."

"If she notices the missing leaves though, do you think she'll tell Headmaster Dumbledore?" Cassiopeia asked quietly.

"No, I do not believe so. Besides, the chance that Pomona notices is infinitesimal. There's no need to worry."

"Okay," she nodded. It was in her nature, unfortunately, to agonize about the worst possible outcome, but she felt reassured. Ever since she'd first been offered Animagus lessons with the professor, Cassie had made it clear that the Headmaster was not to know. McGonagall had agreed, however reluctantly, and to this day they had no reason to think Dumbledore was suspicious of them.

Under no circumstance did she want the Headmaster to know. Especially when they were so close to reaching their goal.

"Now, I'd recommend attaching the leaves with a sticking charm. You'll have to reapply it every couple of days, but at least you'll be able to speak."

She held the leaves out to them, picking up her beautifully polished wand. "It's a very easy spell; you'll probably learn it this year. And once they're in your mouths, there's not much else you need to do. Just wait out the month, and we'll go from there."

February 14, 1975 - Hogwarts

It started at breakfast, with the nigh scandalous display that Augustus put on over the French toast. He'd arranged for a small bouquet of roses - pale pink and white - to sit next to Aurora's plate and await her arrival, neatly held together by a thin, silver-and-gemstone band.

Cassie was by no means an expert on pureblood dating culture - far from it - but Eimear had taught her a few things at least. A public gifting of jewelry? Augustus was serious. His family, however, was unlikely to respond well.

And Aurora had accepted it, weaving the flowers into her thick, dark braid, and slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

The other Slytherins had stared at her, and Augustus, but they'd simply continued to eat, occasionally sharing a sweet smile. Cassiopeia knew she'd never be confident enough to perform such a public display of affection, especially if it somehow went against the unspoken rule in the noble houses.

Half-bloods and purebloods do not mix.

She'd been pleased however, and hoped Augustus' family would respond well, even if she wasn't all that certain they would.

Contrary to their entire House - and really, the dining hall in general - Severus seemed not to have noticed the event at all. Instead, he'd spent the entirety of breakfast pushing his food around his plate, and staring forlornly in Lily's direction.

She hadn't been able to eat after that, the guilt unsettling her stomach. Instead, she'd stood from the table, watching something like a mask slip onto Severus's face when their eyes met for a split-second. His expression, previously full of longing, now seemed to contain no emotion at all. Just emptiness. A void.

Even more unsettled, she'd just about fled the Great Hall, deciding to await Defence inside the classroom. The professor, former Hufflepuff Sylvvie Kalda, always left the door open for students who wanted to be early; and Cassie was glad to take advantage of that.

Entering inside, Cassiopeia allowed her eyes to adjust to the gloom. Their professor liked to keep the curtains closed, and it always took some time getting used to.

Relaxing in her solitude, Cassie took the seat that had now become hers. It was right next to Rory's, yet more than two rows from Severus, who sat near Augustus. She hoped, desperately, that Aurora wouldn't want her to switch places with him. She didn't think she'd be able to bear Severus' utter indifference in such close quarters.

"Tempus," she muttered, swishing her wand through the air. She had almost ten minutes until class still, and decided to pass the time by reading the instructions for the day's lessons from the board.

Patronus Charm, it read, and her heart skipped in excitement. They'd received an essay on the charm just last week, but she hadn't thought much of it; believing it to be just throwaway busy work. To think that they'd be able to learn it, and with an actual teacher–

She frowned suddenly, recalling what she'd read in Althaia's book. She'd never been a natural at DADA - or Charms, for that matter - and what she knew was mostly through Severus' tutoring; now unavailable to her. She'd tried asking even, but he'd simply turned to Aurora and began to discuss the finer points of his new potions research. She hadn't even known he was working on something new.

Cassiopeia shook her head mentally, reaching into her book-bag to pull out Althaia's tome. Madam Pince was probably sick of her checking it out every month, but unless another student asked for it, there was technically nothing she could do. And Cassie'd already decided to hold onto the text for as long as she could.

Besides, most of the writing was theoretical, and oftentimes quite beyond her understanding. She estimated she'd read just over half at this point; not nearly enough to give it up.

Flipping through the pages absently, she couldn't find much more of interest, at least that she understood. Althaia had some interesting theories on shifting Patronus forms, though, which apparently most often happened following trauma, life-changing events, and–

She swallowed hard, freezing when she heard the door creak open. She resisted the urge to hide her book, and instead looked up to see her classmate.

"Remus?" she asked softly in surprise. She hadn't been able to see him much this past year, but she liked to think they were still friends. Unfortunately, she could no longer be sure what any of the Gryffindors thought of her.

The werewolf smiled, running his hand through his riotous brown hair shyly as he sat on the edge of the desk down next to her.

"Fancy seeing you here, Cassiopeia. I almost thought you'd taken to ignoring me," he teased gently, even as she smiled slightly bitterly in response.

"Not that," she reassured, feeling her heart warm at his acceptance.

"Good," he smiled, his eyes warm. Then, with slow, deliberate movements he pulled a perfectly preserved yellow rose from his bag, presenting it to her.

She gasped softly, biting her lip in worry as she looked up into his eyes. "Remus… I can't accept this. I–"

He cut her off gently. "I know. You've still got your heart set on Severus, for whatever reason–"

"Rem–"

"Just teasing, Cassie," he said, smiling. "That's why it's yellow - I've read up on those Slytherin pureblood things. Friendship, warmth, and caring, hmm?"

Cassie blushed, accepting the flower. "Thanks, Remus, that– that means a lot."

"Of course," he replied, suddenly slightly bashful. "I've missed you, you know? I mean, I know I see you, and that's great, but I feel like it's been so long since we've actually spent time together, and I know how that sounds, but you're my really good friend, and Alice just hasn't been as–"

She smiled at his rambling, interrupting once it seemed he was about to work himself into a right state. "I've missed you too, Remus. We'll find a time to meet sometime this week?"

Remus nodded, startling as the door banged open. Moments later, their housemates filled the class, and Remus moved to his seat, sending one last smile in her direction.

Quietly, Cassie slipped the flower into her book-bag, oddly unwilling to let anyone see it. Aurora smirked when she sat down next to her, but nobody else had seemed to notice.

"Good morning class," Professor Kalda greeted, "We'll begin the lesson right away."

That was how their professor was. Direct, and to-the-point. It was refreshing.

"As I'm sure you're now well aware of the Patronus charm, and its effects and uses, I will not bore you with re-stating them. Instead, I'd like you all to take out your wands, and practice the incantation and wand movements with me. Do not be disturbed if the spell does not seem to work; this is not a charm to be mastered in one try."

Here, she took out her wand from her robe-pocket, and waited for the class to do the same. Out of the corner of her eye, Cassie saw Black point his wand towards Lucy Talkalot, getting ready to curse her.

Fortunately, she didn't have to decide whether or not to protect her classmate.

"Mr. Black, that is not what we do with a wand," Kalda scolded firmly, summoning Black's wand into her hand silently. "If this behaviour continues, I will not allow you to partake in our practical today."

"Sorry, Professor," Black answered flippantly, grinning as his wand was handed back to him. "Won't happen again."

"See to it that it won't," she frowned, then continued the lesson. "Very well. Since you are all ready, I will now demonstrate, and you will follow along. Expecto Patronum."

The professor's incantation was uttered quietly, accompanied by an arching swish of her wand. In seconds, a thick, misty vapour began to pour from its tip, slowly convalescing into the form of a translucent, blue-tinged rabbit.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Astonished, and dazed at the beautiful spell-light, it took a few moments for Cassiopeia to understand the instructions. She picked up her wand, however, yet hesitated as she saw Aurora's casting produced no reaction.

"Try it, Cassie," Aurora chided softly, "You can't just not attempt because you're afraid you'll fail."

Frowning slightly in her direction, Cassiopeia raised her wand. What else had Althaia written? Focus on a positive memory.

"Expecto Patronum."

It was her birthday, the twentieth of December, in her second year. Severus approached her in the common room, holding out a well-tied package with both hands.

"It's for you," he said embarrassedly, then scowled. "If that wasn't obvious."

She laughed delightedly, taking the gift from him. "Thanks, Sev'rus – "

Severus wouldn't be like that with her again. Ever. He hated her.

The thought was enough to make her spell fizzle out, the few curls of mist that she'd produced fading into nothingness.

"See? That was great," Aurora exclaimed, seeming not to notice her sudden change of mood.

Cassiopeia nodded, tilting her head down so Rory wouldn't see her furiously blinking back tears.

And it's all your fault.

She didn't manage much else after that.

•••

Thank you for reading, and, as always, a special thank you to the wonderful SilentMayhem and to all those of you who've followed/favorited me or my story, or reviewed. It's delightful to see people enjoying my writing :)