February 27, 1976 - Hogwarts

Settled comfortably in an abandoned classroom, Cassiopeia carefully arranged several sheets of parchment on the floor around her. Her work of two days had finally been completed, and she took a moment to observe the carefully written out variables and spells, saddened somewhat that Professor Vector could never see it.

It was the first project she had ever completed without supervision, and though it was born out of need more so than a great passion for Arithmancy, she still thought it worthy of some regard, at least for all the time it had taken her to create.

With a murmured spell, the matrix sprung up around her - a helix of glowing orbs connected by strings of light floating in midair. She stood to observe it better, scrutinising its construction, before returning to the parchment on the floor, satisfied with her work.

A second flick of her wand transcribed the results of the spell to paper - one of the most useful spells she'd stumbled across while researching in the library. While creating a - relatively - simple matrix like this one was not greatly complicated, deciphering the results was beyond her understanding.

She scanned to the bottom of the parchment, letting out a relieved breath at the sight. A very high probability for success in her endeavour, if she was careful with her words, and a very low probability that Professor Sayre already knew of her... involvement with the Dark Lord.

It was the best news she could have hoped for, honestly, and she was relieved to have decided to do this. Going into this blindly, with no idea of how the Professor might react, or what she knew, could have… ended very badly.

Unwilling to risk anything, Cassiopeia set light to her work, watching it smoulder and burn for a few seconds, before it had all turned to ash. She banished the mess, and resolved to get this over with - she'd already put it off for long enough.

Just a word with Severus first, though. Just in case.

"Come in, Miss Nazyalensky," her Defence professor intoned crisply, yet not unkindly. "Is there something you need?"

Taking a moment to find a suitable place upon which to perch herself, Cassiopeia gathered her thoughts before speaking. "Professor," she spoke carefully, the practiced words flowing from her lips. "I've been researching some of the spells you have been teaching us, and have made an… interesting discovery."

The blond witch tilted her head, her eyes calculating. "Oh?"

Her voice carefully nonchalant, she continued. "Some of the magic you have been teaching us has been classified as 'dark' by the Ministry. I don't exactly believe that to be accidental."

"Miss Nazyalensky. That is a strong accusation to make," Sayre said, though the stern words did not match her insouciant tone.

"It's not an accusation, Professor, it's an observation." she responded mildly. "Besides, I wasn't looking to do much with the information, only to ask for a small favour."

"Which is?"

Cassiopeia smiled at her lack of denial, and continued. "I've been interested in researching some areas of magic which… our library does not cater to. I was hoping that, perhaps, you may be able to help me."

The older witch observed her for a moment, and Cassiopeia felt a presence brush against her mind, so light she may have almost missed it. She slammed down her shields in response, and the professor smiled. "You're taking some risk, asking me this. You must be fairly certain I won't report you."

She could see where the question was leading, and refused to take the bait. "I am. Now, are you willing to help me?"

The witch smirked, amused at her gall. "Very well," she responded, her smile turning sharper.

"What was that about?" Severus asked when she returned to the common room.

She shot him a look. "Nothing. I just needed to be sure someone would know where I'd gone. Thank you for being that person," she responded dispassionately, unsure why she was even speaking to him.

She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her arm. With a sigh she turned to Severus.

"Yes?"

"Cassiopeia - " he sighed. "I'd like to talk to you."

"Finally?"

He gave her an apologetic smile. "Yes. My dorms?"

"Alright."

He led the way, opening the door for her to step through, and gesturing at his side of the bed. "Sit anywhere you like."

She settled on the edge of the bed, pleasantly surprised to hear a meow, and the sounds of pattering footsteps coming towards her.

Augustus' cat emerged from his bed, rubbing his head against her legs, and purring when she scratched his head. "Hello, Tavian," she greeted him, and watched in slight amusement as he went to Severus too, demanding even more attention.

He received it in the form of scratches on his cheek, before Severus shooed him away, and he returned to his previous resting place.

They watched him both for a moment, before Severus took a fortifying breath, beginning to speak with her with his gaze fixed resolutely anywhere but on her face. "I won't apologise for seeing what I saw - if I could have stopped the spell then, I would have."

She nodded. "I don't want you to."

He gave her a grateful glance, and continued, hands twisting almost unconsciously in his lap. "But I do have to apologise, nonetheless. I should have never seen such a memory of yours - " he shook his head slightly to forestall her, " - because it should never have happened. I know I apologised previously, but... I don't think I truly grasped what I'd done. I regret, deeply, that it took something like this happening to make me come to terms with it. Believe me."

They sat in silence for a moment, before Cassiopeia spoke, most of her frustration having dissipated with his hesitant, though earnest, words. "Thank you. To be truthful, I'd hoped you'd never know of anything that took place that summer - I've forgiven you for what you did, and there's no use in revisiting the past. However... I think it's for the best that you know now," she paused, turning to face him. "And - no more silence between us, alright? These past few days have been awful."

"We're of the same mind, then," Severus noted quietly. "I'm sorry for taking so long to speak with you."

"Forgiven."

March 1, 1976 - Hogwarts

" - I thought it might be useful for you to observe, although it is not formally a part of your apprenticeship," Minerva explained, as they walked through the Forbidden Forest, the last streaks of sunlight guiding their way. "You know that I act as a representative between the school and the herd, but I don't believe I've introduced you to the rituals through which we solidify our alliance."

Cassiopeia bit her lip in thought, before mentioning carefully, "I've heard, before, that rituals are dark magic."

"Some, perhaps," Minerva admitted. "However, their malevolence has always been greatly exaggerated. If it is even possible to delineate between what is dark and what is light, rituals fall somewhere in the grey. It's all about intention."

"Does the Headmaster know of what you do?" she asked curiously, and the older witch nodded in response.

Hypocrite, Cassiopeia thought with disdain, though her professor's response was unsurprising. Dumbledore loved to preach the virtues of light - proclaiming his opinions in most of his speeches to the school - but when it came to his own gain, there was little he would not do. That had been made clear enough to her over the years.

It wasn't much longer before they arrived at the centaurs' encampment, greeted at the entrance by Ronan, who seemed ill at ease.

"Minerva, Cassiopeia," he bowed his head lightly. "You have come for the ritual?"

"We have," the witch replied. "Is the herd prepared?"

Ronan glanced back through the undergrowth, his frown growing pronounced. "They are. However, I would advise you to tread carefully today. They are agitated as well."

"Has something occurred?"

A movement from the bushes revealed the presence of another centaur, who stepped towards them. He was not immediately recognisable by his appearance, but when he spoke, his voice identified him immediately.

"The stars have spoken of trials and hardships to come. Of a great evil that emerges from the shadows," Torvus intoned slowly, moving his hand to hold the branches from which he'd emerged. "Come, they have already sensed your presence."

They were led inside, and though the sight of the camp was much as Cassiopeia had remembered, it was easy to tell something was wrong. It took her a moment to grasp what had changed, but when she did she turned to Ronan. "Where are all of the children?"

"In a separate camp, with most of the mares. They did not wish to be in the presence of wizards."

"Have they truly grown so fearful?" Minerva asked, perturbed.

"Angry too," Torvus spoke with a nod. "Magorian and his ilk have been agitating them. We have tried to counter their actions, yet we have had little luck so far. We would remove them from the herd, but such an action would only lead to further division. It is the last thing we need."

Moments later they were approached, an elderly centaur coming to the bonfire next to which they stood. "Grainne," she greeted them, then turned to Cassiopeia, "I believe we have met before, child, have we not?"

"Yes," she replied with a small smile, remembering. "You healed my wound last year." Only a small, white mark on her side still remained as a testament to the events which had occurred, speaking to the centaur's great skill.

Grainne nodded in acknowledgment, before looking to McGonagall. "We have gathered the necessities, and those who are willing to join in are prepared. Will you do us the honour?"

Though the centaur's words were vague, the professor immediately grasped her meaning, and slid her wand from its holster at her hip. "Incendio," she murmured, and the pile of branches in the middle of the camp erupted into flames.

"Thank you," Grainne acknowledged. "We may begin."

Standing a good distance away, Cassiopeia observed the goings-on, her mind beginning to wander as the ritual dragged on much longer than she'd ever expected it to.

Night had fallen some time ago, and though the bonfire provided welcome light, it too had the eerie effect of casting the centaurs' faces into shadow, their features seeming strange and twisted as they echoed the words of a Latin chant in unison.

Discomfited by the observation, she turned away for a moment.

A flash of silver, barely visible through the trees, caught her eye. Frowning, she sought it out again, and only moments later it reappeared, this time seeming closer than before.

Hesitating only momentarily, she moved towards it, careful to keep inside the boundaries of the camp. Though neither the centaurs nor Minerva would notice her departure, she knew well the dangers of venturing into the forest, especially at night.

It disappeared again as she walked forward, only to show itself just beyond the encampment when she stilled, concealed by foliage. She could almost make out its shape, and she raised her hand to her neck - and in turn to the concealed necklace which encircled it - as a thought seized her mind.

Cautiously, she raised her other hand, carefully pulling back some branches with the slightest of sound -

She had not even needed to look for her thoughts to be confirmed, an unimaginably soft muzzle grazing her raised hand. She bit her lip to conceal her cry of surprise, peering into the darkness to see if she could make out the creature's visage.

Lovely, golden eyes met hers, and the unicorn whickered at her, its breath warm against her palm.

"Hello... What are you doing here?" she asked sotto voce, turning her hand to caress its fur. The unicorn bumped its nose against her arm, as though attempting to tell her something.

She frowned, frustrated that she could not communicate with the creature in front of her.

It nudged her again, before stepping away.

The furrow between her brows grew deeper. "I should… follow you?" she asked, mostly for her own benefit. She took a step towards it, leaving the camp, and it made a noise of seeming excitement, touching its nose to her cheek.

A mixture of fear and excitement overtook her, and she knew she needed to seize this opportunity. Glancing back to the bonfire one last time, she followed the creature into the forest.

Thankfully for her still-present caution, the unicorn did not lead her far. Its silver, almost glowing horn guided their way through the quiet woods, until, minutes later, it stopped at the entrance to a small, open area, gently pushing her through the opening.

"Oh," she said softly, gazing upon the field. The moon and stars illuminated what would have otherwise been concealed, bathing the plain in silver light, disturbed only by the shadows of great, dignified oaks which surrounded it. It seemed like something out of a fairytale.

She turned back to the unicorn, a question on her mind. "Why? Why did you show me this?"

Though the creature could not answer her directly, it led her to the centre of the plain, and settled itself gracefully on the ground.

"This is yours?" she asked quietly. The unicorn made a noise, before pressing its muzzle against her palm.

Cassiopeia frowned. "...And...mine?" she asked, feeling foolish.

The unicorn whickered in seeming happiness, before standing again slowly, looking for all like the rightful ruler of the forest with its head aloft, and eyes shining in the moonlight.

After a moment's hesitation it stepped towards her, and ever-so-gently placed its horn atop her head.

She didn't know if the sensation of a current running through her body had been real, but the deep feeling of utter joy and peace that settled into her chest could not have been imagined.

•••

Thank you for reading, and to SilentMayhem and Stephanie MRV for their help. Because this chapter is a little less action-filled, I'll be uploading a second part soon, most probably on Tuesday. I'm working a part-time job now, and unfortunately have a little less time than usual to write - sorry. See you in a few days :)