Severus's proposal amped up the year to its maximum. Though neither of us was that fussed, Patricia made it her life's desire to give us the best wedding possible. The very second she received the letter of our engagement, she cancelled all of her training and became our wedding manager. I trusted her and Trelawney's decisions to arrange things which gave Severus and I time to spend together on other matters.
For instance, Severus was always bombarded with potion requests from other teachers. It's incredible how many potions Madam Pomfrey needed for the countless incidents the students get themselves involved in... So, to help relieve Severus of some of the load, I decided to hone on my previous potions experience from my homeschooling and turn it into a bit of a profession. With his guidance, I was able to become nearly as skilled as him, though he would always be Hogwarts's Potions Master.
Our other commitment was to enhance my use of Occlumency and begin my training in Legilimency. It was difficult but not nearly as painstaking as before. Without Ruberion and other problems stressing me to horrific levels, it was relatively easier in comparison. Severus now had to use a high amount of effort to penetrate my mind and I was much more skilled at removing him once he had done so. I wasn't perfect but I was getting there. It was going to take a lot more practice.
Those were our priorities until our wedding in the upcoming summer. I became increasingly nervous as the date arrived. I had every faith in Severus but I couldn't help but worry something was going to go wrong. I'd begin to panic and each time, Trelawney would make a prophecy saying how wonderful it would be. It was obvious she was faking but it did help to calm me down.
On the other hand, Patricia demanded she be my maid of honour and I was more than happy to accept her in that position. Trelawney was another of my bridesmaids. Shockingly, Dumbledore offered to officiate! He gave it his best shot and it certainly spread through the Daily Prophet. "Albus Dumbledore officiates wedding for Hogwarts professors!". I'm certain Rita Skeeter had a field day with that one... The odd thing was that nobody saw her there and yet she gathered so many intricate details that one had to be present for... strange...
The rings sat happily on our fingers and from that day on, we were married. Fortunately, everything went perfectly as planned. Well, as planned as Patricia hijacking the DJ to play EDM could go. I couldn't be mad at her- she had an awful lot of style... When it came for everyone to leave, I admit, I was rather exhausted. Who knew getting married could be such an arduous task?
"Looks like the Ministry no longer has a reason to ignore my name change." I joked the second we arrived home. "Cassandra Snape. Has a ring to it, doesn't it?"
"We stepped through the door not two seconds ago and you're making jokes?" he remarked with a small smile. He was still shocked that the event happened.
"Awh, cut me some slack. It's not every day you get married." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "I hope the kids aren't too shocked when they come back from their holidays..."
"Why would they be?"
"Well... let's just say..."
September 2nd, 1991
Third-Person POV
A pair of Hufflepuff siblings sat together in the Great Hall eating their breakfast in preparation for the first day of real classes.
"Hey, Rory, what is this teacher like? The one for Potions?" the younger boy asked his older sister as he looked over his timetable.
"There's only one teacher for Potions and that's Snape." she informed as she snacked on a hashbrown. "He's kind of mean. Strict too. Not the same kind of strict as McGonagall, who teaches Transfiguration, though. She just gives you that disappointed look. Snape gives you a month's worth of detention and calls you scum!"
"Seriously? How is someone like him allowed to teach if he's that awful?" the boy asked shocked.
"I guess Professor Dumbledore trusts him or something. I wouldn't worry too much about it, Red." the sister chuckled.
"You promised you'd stop calling me that when I came to Hogwarts! It was one time! One time that I spilt paint! It wasn't only red either!"
The sister shrugged and looked over her own timetable. A specific entry caught her eye. "Hey, show me yours."
The brother shoved over his sheet and poured syrup on his pancakes. He was incredibly hungry and couldn't wait to devour all the food on the table.
She looked over the entry with a confused expression. "Hang on, since when did it list his initial? 'Professor S. Snape'... None of the others have that."
"Lemme see-" the brother said with his mouth full. "Rook, it sweys there's twoo Sneypes."
Rory shoved her brother's shoulder. "Just because Mum's not here doesn't mean you can talk with your mouth full! Sheesh, Red!" The brother continued eating indifferent to his sister's nagging.
"You noticed it too, huh?" an older Hufflepuff girl leant over. "Two Snapes, what the heck could have happened? Did he multiply himself?"
"Nah," Rory said and waved the sheet. "the second one has a different initial. 'C. Snape', apparently." she informed.
"Wunder what tyher like." Red munched.
The older girl tapped her fingers lightly on the table in thought. "Didn't Snape have a girlfriend or something last term? You don't think that they-"
"If you are quite finished discussing my wife," Snape suddenly appeared before them with a scowl. "you should be off to your lessons."
The three looked around them and noticed the Great Hall was noticeably sparser in occupants. They stood up and dashed off to their classes in fright. A determined woman joined his side.
"You're going to give them a heart attack, you know." she joked and wrapped her arm around her husband's. "I wonder how most of their faces will be when they all notice..."
"We both know they will prefer you, Cassandra." Snape replied.
The woman's eyes narrowed smugly. "Maybe if you were nicer then students who aren't Slytherins will like you, and anyway, I saw your face when Harry Potter got sorted. Are you still conflicted?"
The pair sat down on the empty bench. It was almost entirely silent outside of a few stragglers. Cassandra felt somewhat uneasy when she looked down the middle aisle. It reminded her of a matter too personal to her psyche.
"His father saved my life. I owe him a debt." Snape revealed. "I still feel resentment towards James but seeing Lily in the boy no longer brings me pain."
Cassandra listened intently. She had understood Snape's history with Lily Evans but with her help, her husband had overcome his trauma relating to her. She rubbed his arm gently.
"That's good. I was worried you were going to torment him for seven years. The last thing I want to do is have to apologise on your behalf over and over again!"
"I would not ask for you to do that regardless." he informed.
"I know, but still. Promise me you'll be on your best behaviour?" she asked like he was a child.
After a short consideration, he returned to her with a small "I promise".
This section contains major spoilers and will change pieces of canon.
Cassandra's POV
I had hoped for the next years to have been one for relaxation. Harry Potter proved me wrong on each and every occasion... and so did he.
The first year was relatively simple and non-criminal. Dumbledore fully executed the underground chamber where the Mirror of Erised was stored to secure the Philosopher's Stone. Some of the tasks had been improved upon since our group went through. Earlier in the year, Severus repaid his debt to James by saving Harry from a spell on his broom which could have killed him. He was happy about that.
Severus decided to go one-on-one on confronting Quirrell, who turned out to be one with You-Know-Who. Somehow, Harry stopped Quirrell which somewhat hurt Severus's ego as he was injured trying to stop Quirrell.
...
The next two years had their own set of issues but weren't too bad, minus having to deal with Lockhart again. In the fourth... You-Know-Who came back.
I couldn't stand Fudge after that. His smear campaign against Dumbledore was the last straw. I could tolerate his history of abuse with me... but when he brought others into it, I saw his true colours. He was a coward. He wanted to keep control of the wizarding world through any means he could and You-Know-Who jeopardised that.
"What the hell are you doing, Father!?" I screamed right in his face. "Don't you realise the danger you're putting everyone in?"
"You-Know-Who is not back, Cassandra. Why do you believe the lies Dumbledore tells you? I knew he had brainwashed you." he spat back.
"You weakling! You skulker! You're just waiting for things to go to crap before you lift a finger! You're happy for people to suffer and die instead of preparing to save them! I can't wait to see your face when he storms in here and kills you."
"How dare you." he yelled with fury in his tone.
"How dare I? How dare I? How dare you! I hope the countless corpses at your hands wakes you up. Thank Merlin I married Severus so that last bit of my association with you is gone." I took a shaky sigh. My voice wavered. "I had hoped you changed." I looked down at the floor, unable to meet his face. "I'm disappointed to be wrong."
Fudge's face went pale. He knew he had made a fatal mistake... but it was too late to take it back.
"Cassandra-" he tried to speak.
"No. Don't." I spoke shakily. "I'm done. You're incapable of changing. You're the Minister of Magic to me and nothing more than that. Goodbye, Minister."
I opened the door and heard him deeply exhale. "Goodbye, Mrs Snape."
...
The Order of the Phoenix's revival in 1995 solidified our fears: Voldemort was back and we were going to be the ones to fight him. Severus was initially apprehensive about me joining but I made it known I wasn't going to stand by idly while those I cared about were threatened. My membership brought me directly into the firing range of Fudge and Rita Skeeter. To begin with, it was tiresome but after a certain point, I became numb to it. There were far more important things to worry about.
My main fear... was that Severus reprised his role as a spy against the Death Eaters. Severus acted as Voldemort's right-hand man and every time he had to leave me to confer with the villain, I agonised with fear that he wouldn't come back. I lost most of my sleep and became thinner from being unable to eat. I would sit in the living room waiting for the door to open or for him to apparate in, no matter how late it got. The second he emerged, I would leap from my chair and hug him with all my might. His warmth was the only thing that could calm my terrorised heart.
My appearance changed substantially as the years went on to cope with all that was going on around me. My hair grew longer and I changed back to attire that was more comfortable for me. It was the only way for me to be okay.
[Artwork by unaety_ on Twitter]
Severus would continue his double-agent role for years to come but there would be a time when my past and my present would overlap on one final occasion. I don't know if it was an attempt by Fudge to humiliate me or if it was a pathetic plan to force power.
Dumbledore had failed to find a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher after Barty Crouch Jr's exposure the previous year. As the position needed to be filled, the Ministry sent an employee to fill the said position. Just who would that be? Dolores Umbridge: the woman Fudge knew despised me more than anything. Her classes were authoritarian and reinforced the propaganda the Ministry was spreading at the time.
It was no secret that the other members of staff hated her. McGonagall frequently butted heads with her and Severus had to try his hardest to hold his tongue. She gradually grew more powerful as she nitpicked every small flaw of the school until she was on par with Dumbledore due to the Ministry backing her. Her meticulous testing of staff was her worst offence.
Every professor at Hogwarts was to be evaluated in accordance with her and the Ministry's standards. Those who failed their testing would be dismissed. She was incredibly offensive. I heard she held a tape measure to Flitwick! Severus, being an impressive manipulator, passed without issue but his sharpness got him in trouble at times. If she had the chance, Umbridge would have dismissed me in a heartbeat... but there was something stopping her. Maybe Fudge had prevented her but I didn't care. In fact, I wished she had dismissed me if it stopped her other crime...
Her frustration with not being able to control me led to her bullying the next vulnerable person to me: Trelawney. Patricia had taught her to stand up for herself but it only made things worse. The pressure amounted to too much for her... and she developed a dependency. It wound up with Umbridge dismissing Trelawney...
...
"You can't do this." Trelawney sobbed as her bags were placed beside her by Filch.
"I'm afraid I can." Umbridge smiled like a vixen.
All around the courtyard were students and teachers watching on. Trelawney was never the most popular teacher but this was too far. Severus and I stood helplessly under the cortile. I wanted to do something but what could I do? I had no authority.
"Please reconsider." she pleaded one last time but she understood Umbridge would not change her mind.
"Escort her off the school grounds, Mr. Filch." Umbridge authorised.
"No! Please!" she begged.
I wanted to run forward and scream but Severus grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
"You can't." he whispered concerned into my ear. I cried into his chest and he held my head against him.
"You may have the Ministry's permission to terminate my staff, Dolores, but as its Headmaster, I am allowed to decide who may and may not be on school grounds." Dumbledore appeared and countered Umbridge. She was furious.
"A generous time for you to appear, Albus." she squeaked annoyed. "How fortunate of you to have a presence." She glared daggers at Trelawney which caused her to flinch back.
Patricia was going to be pissed.
...
Thank Merlin, Umbridge was rather... forcibly removed from her office and all the fired professors were rehired. I thought surely it couldn't get worse.
It got worse. Much, much worse.
Neither Severus nor Dumbledore informed me of their agreement. The Battle of the Astronomy Tower shattered my heart. Severus murdered Dumbledore and betrayed us all. He was on the run for a whole month from the Ministry and the Order! How was I, his wife, supposed to bear with the fact that my husband betrayed the man who trusted him most? For a month, I believed he had abandoned me...
...Only for him and the Death Eaters to return to Hogwarts at the start of the following academic year... The school was entirely under Voldemort's control.
The vast majority of students who were present the previous year did not return. All Muggle-born students were banned from attending and many more were withdrawn due to safety concerns. I pitied those who remained. Some more determined students would try to rebel against the Death Eaters, especially the Carrow siblings, and received scarring punishments for it.
Voldemort, believing Severus to be one of his most loyal servants, placed him as Headmaster of Hogwarts. The second I found out the news, I wanted to run away but I couldn't leave the students who needed me. I refused to talk to him. I couldn't look at him without feeling sick. Everyone knew me as the wife of the man who murdered Dumbledore. I couldn't forgive him for the looks they gave me...
I climbed the ladder of the ingredients cupboard to record what bottles needed refilling in the near future. It was increasingly hard to order what Slughorn and I required for classes due to the Carrows's insistence that we only brew potions they could use to punish students. I sighed deeply as I found the supply for Gillyweed to be almost empty again. Anxiety crept up on my back. It was Gillyweed that brought us together...
Returning to the ground and placing my order sheet in its appropriate place, I was about to leave until a cloaked figure stormed in and shut the door behind them. It was Severus with a troubled face.
"Don't scream." he said as he cast "Muffliato". Any eavesdroppers would only hear a strange buzzing sound if they tried to listen to our conversation.
"What the hell are you doing?" I spat at him and tried to barge past but he blocked my path.
"Cassandra, please listen-"
"Listen? To what? You try to justify how you killed Dumbledore and betrayed us all? Good luck with that." I folded my arms with the belief he couldn't change my mind.
"We had an agreement." Severus began shaken as he recalled the memory. "Dumbledore was cursed to die regardless. He wanted me to kill him to protect Malfoy whom the Dark Lord ordered to kill Dumbledore."
"Why should I believe you? How do I know you aren't lying to me?"
Severus went to grab my wrist but upon contact, I slapped his hand away.
"I would never lie to you, Cassandra." His eyes were filled with his rare expression of sadness. It was that vulnerability that he only showed to me that I understood he was truthful.
"Then why didn't you tell me? I could've come with you. You left me alone for a whole month." I had gone from intense rage to trembling.
"It was too dangerous for you. You shouldn't become a Death Eater." he replied.
"Dangerous, my ass." I wept. "You have no idea the pain I went through. Everyone shunned me and I waited in that house alone for you to come back and you never did. Then you just flounce back here like nothing happened?"
"It was to protect you. They know you are in the Order. Every moment I wished to return to you but I feared they would come for you. My talking to you now is risking everything."
Something strange overcame me. A feeling of wanting to end this pettiness. I wrapped my arms around him. I hated how strange his frame felt after so long of separation. "I just want this to all be over." I confessed.
"The war will not last forever." he spoke as he caressed my back lovingly. "I will not leave you again."
Our embrace ended and I admired him with moisture in my eyes.
"We must continue to alienate each other for now." he advised. "There would be no method of keeping you safe otherwise."
I nodded reluctantly and pressed a faint kiss to his lips. It would have to be our last for a long time. He wiped away a fallen tear from my cheek.
"I love you." he said saddened he was the one to bring me to tears.
"I know." I laughed and with a final mutual smile, he departed.
The Battle of Hogwarts
May 2nd, 1998
Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts to fulfil the task Dumbledore had given to him before he died. Here we stood in the Great Hall with Severus and McGonagall throwing spells at each other with the intent to do extreme damage. She was not aware of Severus's double-agent position and I could only stand with bated breath amongst the sea of students observing the duel. For a time, it was perfectly matched. Severus's use of Legilimency allowed him to be on par with the much more experienced woman.
At times, McGonagall would send me glances from the sidelines to join the fight alongside her. Each time, I froze in place but she understood the impossible position I was in. The fighting began to cease when Flitwick, Sprout and Slughorn ran into the hall and prepared to fight Severus head-on. He knew he was outnumbered and fled through the window, using the unsupported flight Voldemort had taught him to prevent him from falling to his death.
McGonagall became our leader to be united under. She commanded the legions to their positions without a single protest. The younger students were evacuated and the older ones remained. Several alumni returned to battle as well. Flitwick and many others made a protective barrier across the entire school.
I was ready to fight. There was no room for doubt in my heart. I had to trust in Severus and have faith in his return.
For the duration of the battle, I remained with Trelawney. It was the most fired up I had ever seen her. Using her wand, she threw countless amounts of crystal balls to the heads of Death Eaters, knocking them out cold. It was rather impressive...
"Expulso!" I yelled as bright blue light emerged from my wand and hit a Death Eater square in the chest.
"To your right, Cassandra!" Trelawney cried out and I heard glass shatter as the ball came into contact. The figure about to call a spell at me fell to its knees unconscious.
"Avada Keda-" a Death Eater began to conjure directly at us. Just as they were about to finish, a streak of red flew past and threw the Death Eater to the floor.
"Score one for Evergreen, woo!" Patricia cheered with a beater's bat in her hand as she sat proudly on her broom.
"Patricia!" Trelawney and I simultaneous called.
"What are you doing here!?" I asked panicked.
"You really thought I'd miss this, cutie? Not when my little Cinnamon is in danger." Still sitting on her broom, she winked at Trelawney. "Now, show me the next one. Death Eater heads look like Bludgers to me and they need beating back to sender."
"Wait, Patricia! Did you see Severus on your way here?" I asked as she smacked the bat in her hand.
"Stoic? You mean he isn't here?"
I shook my head sadly.
"Hmm, I did fly over some of the battles on my way here. There were a few people on one of the hills talking. One of them had a big cloak so it could be him."
At least he was safe but... if they weren't moving then he was probably at Voldemort's side. A horrible sensation came over me. Something wasn't right here...
"You two go on ahead! I'll catch up!" I said as I sprinted in the opposite direction. If my hunch was right, I'll be needing this...
"But Cassandra-" Trelawney called out but I was already too far away to hear her over the nearby battling.
I ran past countless duels and fended off Death Eaters who tried to attack me. Many of the walls of the castle had been breached by spells and monsters. It was heartbreaking but I had to continue on. Each corridor passed until I made it to my room. The door was barely hanging on its hinges and a large hole bore through one side. The children's pictures that were on what used to be my desk lay cracked on the floor.
"It has to still be here." I spoke to myself as I dove under my bed. I had lost so much weight that I could squeeze under without much difficulty. Stealing the idea from Christina, I felt my hands through the plastic underneath for the gap and pulled out exactly what I needed: the Abyssian Blade. It was safer to keep it by my side and it looks like doing so had come in handy.
Over the years, the blade had become much more white and with a clean sheen than it had been before. The faint purple and black had dissolved to reveal the true blade underneath but there were still small splotches of corruption. Its blue jewel still stared at me. It would have to do.
Now, I had to find Severus.
If Patricia was right, he had to be with or near Voldemort. The stories I heard were that Voldemort always wanted to work alone so he was unlikely to have guards with him. In the midst of battle, where would be the place you could go to be entirely undisturbed...? The most haunted place in all of Great Britain... The Shrieking Shack.
Severus had told me about the entrance through the Whomping Willow. With all my might, I sprinted down the grounds praying that I would find him but there was no luck until the Willow came into view and Severus was approaching the roots.
"Sev-" I went to call out as a dirty hand covered my mouth and wrapped around my waist.
"I don't think so." a man with a raspy voice spoke. "Not havin' you interrupt the Dark Lord's plans." I knew it, Voldemort had something to do with Severus!
He ran his hands down my body to take my wand and threw it in a random direction. It landed amongst the shrubbery.
I flailed in his grip until I managed to gather enough momentum to whack my heel into his knee. He lost his grip on me enough for me to slither out and shove him over to create some distance.
"Fierce one, aren't ya? Little bitch." he taunted.
With my wand now gone, I wielded the Abyssian Blade in my grasp. The Death Eater looked unimpressed.
"What, did ya steal that from one of 'em suits o' armour? Won't do anythin' against magic." He readied his wand and as he did, flames from the sword came alight. They used to be a hazardous purple but now they shone almost entirely orange with small flickers of Byzantium.
"Ya got a flamin' sword, so what?" He bit his lip cockily. He threw a nonverbal spell directly at me. Without my wand, I had no way of countering it but I trusted in the blade and let it hit the steel directly. The spell faded away with no effect. "Eh?"
In his moment of confusion, I lifted the sword high and glared at him. "Arifica gives its regards." As I brought the sword down, the flames shot off from the blade and surrounded the Death Eater. His screams echoed into the sky as his skin melted but I did not allow him to die. It was only enough to incapacitate him.
I spied over to where I had seen Severus and, despite the encounter only taking a few seconds, he had gone. I didn't have time to go and try to find my wand. I dived through the hole and arrived at the Shrieking Shack. The entire place felt off with all the exiting doors and windows boarded up with wood. The walls were covered in fierce and deep claw marks. The untouched areas were still peeling off and exposed its wooden structure. The first room was entirely empty. I thought I was too late. I went to the foyer where I saw a staircase to go to the upper floor. As I took the first few steps to ascend, I felt as if I was being watched.
Hesitantly, I backed up and peeked over my shoulder.
"Why are you here?" Severus appeared from an adjacent room and grabbed my arm. His eyes were filled with panic.
"We need to go. One of the Death Eaters let slip Voldemort has a plan for you and I don't like it." I stepped down and went to leave. Severus did not move. "Why aren't you coming!?"
"If I leave, my position will be exposed." he remarked.
"And if you stay, he'll most likely kill you and I am not losing you." I protested. "The longer we stay, the more chances to get caught and we'll both be killed. Come on!" I physically pulled him out but as we were about to go through the passage to return to Hogwarts's grounds, a faint slither came across the floor.
Nagini, Voldemort's loyal serpent, snuck her way over the floorboards and prepared herself to strike. I was right, Voldemort had planned to kill Severus and this was his final attempt without revealing himself. Her head raised, poised to strike, and as she went for the kill on Severus, I stormed in front and knocked her back with the Abyssian Blade. One of her fangs snapped off when it came into contact with the blade. The other... struck into my flesh. A searing pain flared through my arm from the injected venom and immense amounts of blood came through the hole where the fang hit true.
Severus nonverbally attacked the snake with his wand, recoiling her enough for us to run. Trails of blood ran down my skin and fell as small blobs below. We successfully exited the roots of the Willow and the night sky shone above us, unknowing of the atrocities being committed below it.
We diverted into the thicket of the Forbidden Forest nearby and I fell against one of the trees. The crimson pooled against my clothes as my arm limped in my lap. The blade sat by my side.
"I'm okay." I inhaled sharply from the pain. "I'll be okay." I lied to myself.
"It was trying to strike me. Why did you defend me?" Severus asked, horrified at the sight of me.
"You're always the one protecting me. I thought I'd return the favour." I laughed weakly. The amount of blood leaving my system began to make me feel dizzy. The world was spinning. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked as I stroked his cheek with my other arm.
"You promised you would not sacrifice yourself again." he teared up.
"I'm sorry." I smiled. "Ylgind's going to be mad that I didn't cleanse the blade." Our eyes fell to the blade that sat by my injured arm. It was so close to purity. It needed just one more step...
"No, she will not." Severus disagreed as he grabbed ahold of the blade. With his other hand, he pulled my injured arm and held it above the jewel in the blade's hilt. The bright blue gem became stained a deep red. Then, small streaks of scarlet swirled throughout the blade's steel. They began to wear away at the final edges of corruption. When it had completed its task, the sanguine faded away leaving the blade in its original form.
The Abyssian Blade had been purified... The crimes of Prince Reuan had been forgiven. His words were true: the blade gleamed in every way, no matter how it was held. That still didn't help me. The edges of my vision were encroached by darkness.
A ball of light began to form nearby and from it, a faint glowing figure emerged beside us. It was a tall woman with a green flowing gown and her blonde hair tied up in a romantic tuck. She looked incredibly regal. Calmly, she knelt down and caressed my wounded arm.
"My descendent..." her silky voice lulled out. "You finished the task I requested of you at the cost of your own life. Your blood with the Gem of Arifica appeased Calamity... She wished for the Arifician dynasty's blood to be spilt as they spilt others..."
She looked earnestly at Severus for figuring out the puzzle. The Gem of Arifica was within the Abyssian Blade all along. Reuan had offered the blade to Calamity and it absorbed the corruption...
"Your time has not come, my dear. Arifica brings you one last blessing." Her fingers, ghostlike as they were, pinched where Nagini's fang struck. She rose her hand and spiralled out a faint black liquid. Her hand turned into a fist and the liquid vanished.
"There." Her hand now stroked my hair. "As you freed the blade from its corruption, I willingly free you from yours."
Although still weak, I was able to maintain my consciousness. "Thank you, Ylgind..." I muttered.
"This will be the last time Arifica's affairs intertwine with yours." she advised. "So long as you remember us, the kingdom will live on. That is what Father would have wanted."
She smiled at both of us and returned to her state as a ball of light. She flew off deep into the forest.
Severus hugged me tight, not caring about the blood that would seep into his clothes. My strength was slowly returning and I had the capability to hug him back.
For the remainder of the battle, we stayed in the thicket. With Voldemort still wanting to kill Severus, it was our best move. After several hours, the sounds from the school relaxed. We knew it was time to go back and see the battle's outcome.
The Great Hall was filled with the deceased. It was heartbreaking seeing them all laying motionless. Severus held his arm around my waist to support my walking. As we entered the hall, heads turned to watch us but... they didn't care. They were too focused on their loved ones to make a fuss.
We went past several benches until we finally found Trelawney. Fortunately, she was unharmed but she immediately screeched at the horrific bloodstain on my clothes.
"C-C-Cassandra, what happened to you!?" she inquired mortified. I told her the events that happened and it gradually calmed her down. Though she was one of many who believed Severus to be a traitor, she trusted in me to not reinforce that thought. I looked around and noticed one thing was missing... or one person.
"Sybill, where is Patricia?" I asked, my throat dry in doubt.
Trelawney looked down at her hands and warily pointed at the entrance. I could see the streaking red of her hair as she leaned against one of the large posts far away from everyone else.
"I'll go talk to her alone." I told Severus who stayed with Trelawney.
I limped over and stood by Patricia's side. At first, she said nothing and continued to look into the horizon with her arms folded. The sun had begun to rise at dawn. Eventually, she looked at me.
"Wow, that's not a great look for you, cutie." she joked at my clothes. "Though red does suit you."
"Of course you'd think red was a good colour." I replied. "Are you okay?"
She sighed and unfolded her arms. There were multiple fingers missing from her left hand.
"One of those Death Eaters knocked them clean off. Was worth it, though. Saved Cinnamon's life. My coach is going to kill me." she revealed as she twiddled the remaining fingers. "Unless he lets me keep playing because I'm just so good. Perhaps Quidditch needs more disadvantaged players."
"You'd do amazingly even if your whole hand was blown off." I encouraged. She laughed genuinely and wrapped her arm over my shoulder.
"Don't get too cocky or that may happen." she replied. "No matter what, I'll never regret meeting you, Stoic and Cinnamon. Actually..." She scratched her neck nervously. "It's probably about time I pop her the question."
My eyes widened in surprise. "I'm sure she'd love that but make sure you wait until later. There's a time and a place..." I looked behind me to the weeping faces of those who had lost. "and this isn't it."
"Good call. Listen, I'll talk to you later, okay?" she said and made her way back in. Moments later, Severus joined me.
"It's all over." I said as I leaned my head on his shoulder.
"You truly are stubborn, Cassandra." he teased lightly but he was still anxious from earlier.
"I know but at least it all worked out in the end." I saw Patricia and Trelawney talking to each other. "Patricia is going to propose to Sybill soon."
"Is she? Remarkable." he replied and felt the ring on my finger. "I am surprised you did not take it off."
I gazed fondly at my hand. "There were times when you had gone that I thought about it. When I thought you had betrayed everyone and abandoned me." I took a deep breath and stared at him. "I kept hoping it was all a lie. In the worst way possible, I suppose it was."
"I can do little but attempt to understand the shame I brought you. I apologise sincerely for the grief you went through because of me." he said.
"I don't want to think about it anymore." I confronted him. "As I told you all that time ago, it's in the past. I want to keep moving on into the future."
I kissed him deeply so he would understand my acceptance of his actions.
"Hogwarts will have to rebuild. No, the whole wizarding world will need to rebuild." I started as the sky's blues became light oranges. "I want to leave all of this behind. All of this cruelty and punishment. Severus..."
I took both of his hands and saw his dark onyx eyes peering back at me.
"Will you stay with me? For real this time, on both our parts."
"Always, for you."
Eleven Years Later
?'s Point of View
My robes were soggy and damp from crossing over the Great Lake together with the other students. I couldn't help but wish I could change but there was no time. The second we stepped onto dry land, the tall giant-like man brought us inside the castle to be greeted by an elderly woman with spectacles and grey hair tied in a bun.
"Greetings, first years." she began loudly for all to hear. Behind her was a large closed door. I could hear murmurs from inside. "When you enter through this door, you will be sorted into your appropriate house. Your house will be like your family at Hogwarts. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. When you are sorted, please sit at your house's table. Now, follow me."
The doors opened to reveal a gigantic hall with four benches that stretched almost end-to-end and a large table at the end seating many adults. It was difficult to see precisely who was there over the heads of everyone else. Above us floated hundreds of small candles and the roof was enchanted to show the night sky. I could barely hold in a gasp of amazement.
As we reached just before the end table, a small stool stood before us with a ragged old hat on it. The old woman informed us of the hat's capabilities to decide which house to place us in based on our characteristics.
"I will call you one at a time. When called, please sit on the stool." she directed and held the hat high in her grip.
She began to go through several names of people that I didn't recognise. Faces of those much older than me watched in suspense for each child. When a house was chosen, one table would erupt into cheers. I felt rather nervous as to where I would be sorted...
As I looked around, I found my reflection. Just as I thought, my robes were soaked and unappealing, but everyone else's was much the same. I looked deeper into my other features. My hair was wavy and came down roughly to my shoulders. It was a light raven colour. My eyes were juniper tinted green. They weren't bad, but my nose... It was ever so slightly crooked.
"Eliza Snape." the woman called, breaking me from my trance.
My heart lept from my chest and I scurried to sit down on the stall. She placed the hat upon my head and it began to deliver its decision.
"Mm, yes. A familiar sensation and yet so peculiar at the same time. Your father was a grand Slytherin in his time... and your mother... I wish I could have sorted her. She would have done well wherever she was put. You have the capabilities of them all... Tell me, where do you want to be?"
The whole hall was silent as they all stared at me. I had thought long and hard about where I wanted to be.
"Slytherin." I answered certainly.
"Slytherin it shall be!" he declared loudly and the Slytherin table all stood and clapped.
As I sat down among them, they congratulated me and patted my shoulders. The next name was called and I looked up at the staff table.
There, Mother and Father sat in the same chairs they told me about. They held each other's hands under the table with warm smiles directed my way. They were so proud.
A young boy who had been sorted a few people before me tapped my shoulder. I looked over and met his friendly grey eyes but his messy brown strands got in the way somewhat.
"Eliza, huh? Nice to meet you, my name's Clark!" He held his hand out and I shook it. "I think we're going to get along swell. Neat necklace, by the way."
I showed him the small star-charmed necklace around my neck. "Thanks! My mum got me it. She wanted the stars to protect me as they did for her."
I looked up at my parents and then at the enchanted ceiling. The stars twinkled favourably and I held the charm close to my chest.
"I know they will."
End of Epilogue
Thank you from the bottom of my heart was finishing Cassandra's journey. I never expected Always For You to become nearly as big as it did. Honestly, I feel rather sad now that it's over! I hope that you enjoyed seeing Cassandra grow to be her own woman surrounded by loved ones.
If you joined since I started writing Arc 1 or are reading this long after the publication of this epilogue, you helped me to make this book as good as it could be.
However, I do owe some credit to some special people who encouraged me to make this book possible:
To Priyudi, my beta reader. She read every single chapter before publication and gave me feedback on what needed changing or improved upon.
To Space, one of my real-life friends. She aloud read each chapter to me which definitely helped with changing sentences to be easier to read and pointed out some plotholes that needed fixing!
To Lupus, another of my real-life friends. He helped me with my mental state and recovering from the downs of completing each arc.
To Javo, a very close friend of mine. Despite not fully understanding the material I was writing, he listened to my constant ramblings about this project and gave me ideas to use. He even named Elsie!
To juniperfawnart, my debut artist. They produced the Arc 1 artwork of Cassandra, the portraits of the children and Ruberion, the book cover artwork and the Arc 2 promotional artwork. It's incredible how well they interpreted my very non-specific information and somehow made exactly what I wanted.
To Dani (Mari Ohalloween), my artist for Arc 3. They produced the artwork for Arc 3 Cassandra, the Hunter and Settled artworks for Elsie, Patricia and the artwork for the Amulet of Ylgind. They were also one of the first people to read the book in its entirety and their excitement brought me much-needed encouragement.
To the Kach Again community, many of the people who encouraged me to continue writing. Although very few of them read this book, they kept cheering me on to its completion. Special thanks to Kach, Dyl, Aries, Katie and Forest.
Although Always For You may be complete, I have no plans to stop writing. Who knows what may come next? What I do know is that this has been a journey I'll never forget.
Always For You
By MaralinaSakura