Chapter 24 Consequences Part IV

My mind was in a haze. I didn't even realize Hermione had sat me down on a purple sleeping bag until Ron snapped his fingers in my face.

"He was here!" I said, looking up at my friends.

"We know." Harry said, sitting down on his sleeping bag.

"Do you think Black's still in the castle?" Hermione whispered.

I decided to get in my sleeping bag and try to hide from the school.

"Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be," Ron answered.

They got into their sleeping bags as well.

"It's very lucky he picked tonight, you know. The one night we weren't in the tower…" Hermione whispered.

"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run," Ron said in a conspiratorial tone. "Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here."

I poked my face out and looked at Harry. I couldn't read his face, or seem to hear his thoughts so I didn't know how he thought of the situation.

We shared a moment of silence, and the whispers started to float to me.

"How did he get in?"

"Maybe he knows how to Apparate, just appear out of thin air, you know."

"Disguised himself, probably."

"He could've flown in."

"Honestly," Hermione's sharp voice made me jump. "Am I the only person who's ever bothered to read Hogwarts, A History?"

"No, I read it too." I said, making sure to keep my voice quiet.

I didn't want to draw attention to myself.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Because the castle's protected by more than walls, you know." Hermione started to explain. "There are all sorts of enchantments on it, to stop people entering by stealth. You can't just Apparate in here. And I'd like to see a disguise that could those dementors. They're guarding every single entrance to the grounds. They'd have fool seen him fly in too. And Filch knows all the secret passageways, they'll have them covered…"

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted.

He had been left in charge since he was Head Boy.

I couldn't sleep. I felt like it was all my fault. I sent the letter to Sirius Black, and suddenly he broke out. How could he not want to reconnect with his spawn.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy whispered.

I moved slightly to see Dumbledore had made his way to us.

"No. All well here?" Dumbledore whispered back.

"Everything under control, sir." Percy reported back.

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow." Dumbledore spoke.

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without a password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

The doors squeaked open and footsteps lead to where Percy and Dumbledore were.

"Headmaster?" Snape's voice joined the conversation. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched…"

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" Snape asked.

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before - ah - the start of term?" Snape was slow with his words.

"I do, Severus," Dumbledore had a warning tone in his voice.

"It seems - almost impossible - that Black could have entered the school without help. I did express my concerns when you appointed -" Snape tried to state.

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said with a final tone in his voice this time.

"And what about Zwa-"

"I said, not a single person, Mr. Weasley."

I felt warmth in my chest at what Dumbledore said. If anyone was going to stand up for me, I'm glad it was him.

"I must go down to the dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete." Dumbledore said after a minute.

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy asked.

"Oh yes," Dumbledore's voice was cold. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

I didn't see them leave, but I heard some rustling sleeping bags. When I turned my head, all three of my friends were awake.

"What was all that about?" Ron mouthed.

I shrugged and turned on my side, away from my friends and tried to sleep.

Over the next few days, I had to make sure I was with Harry or with a teacher. There were rumors going around that I was the one to help Black get in. And it didn't help that week before his attack, I wasn't at dinner.

Lupin was surprised to see what state I was in. He could barely look at me when he walked with Harry and our friends. Ron had, surprisingly, taken a more protective stance with me. He would allow me to link my arm through his and he would glare at anyone who would look at me.

Our replacement portrait was Sir Cadogen and his gray pony. I made sure to be with someone when I went into the common room so he didn't give me too much trouble.

McGonagall had summoned Harry and I to her office one day.

"There's no point in hiding it from you any longer," she said to use when the door closed. "I know this will come as a shock to you but Sirius Black -"

"We know he's after us." Harry spoke up. "We heard Ron's dad telling his mum. Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic."

McGonagall was taken aback, "I see! Well, in that case, Potter, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you two to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed -"

"We got our first match on Saturday!" I spoke up.

Harry and McGonagall both looked me.

"Professor, please. It's important that we," I gestured to Harry and I, "have some form of normalcy and Quidditch is normal."

McGonagall gave me a hard look before standing up and looking out of her window to the Quidditch field.

"Well… Goodness knows, I'd like to see us win the Cup at last … but all the same, Zwart … I'd be happier if a teacher were present. I'll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions."

"Thank you, Minnie!" I grinned when she turned around and gave me a stern look.

But I saw that twinkle in her eye.

Wood had everyone, including me, practicing. The weather was steadily getting worse and Thursday was our last training session before the game on Saturday.

Fred was hanging out around the hoops, throwing the Quaffle for me while Katie, Alicia, and Angelina threw one between themselves. They were practicing different maneuvers.

Wood came down the field and waved at us to join him. Fred and I flew down together while George flew down and stood next to Alicia.

"We're not playing Slytherin!" Wood told us, looking and sounding angry.

"What?" I said.

"Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."

"Why?" The team asked together.

"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm's still injured." Wood grinded his teeth. "But it's obvious why they're doing it. Don't want to play in this weather. Think it'll damage their chances…"

"There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" Harry said furiously.

"He's faking it!" I added.

"I know that, but we can't prove it." said Wood bitterly. "And we've been practicing all those moves assuming we're playing Slytherin, and instead it's Hufflepuff, and their style is quite different. They've got a new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory -"

The chasers all giggled, I grinned.

"Diggory got made captain? Brilliant!"

That earned me a glare from both George and Wood.

"He's the tall, good-looking one, isn't he?" Angelina added.

"Strong and silent." Katie nodded and caused the three of them to giggle again.

"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together," Fred said impatiently. "I don't know why you're worried Oliver, Hufflepuff is a pushover. Last time we played them, Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?"

"We were playing in completely different conditions!" Wood shouted at us. "Diggory's got a very strong side together! He's an excellent Seeker! I was afraid you'd take it like this! We mustn't relax! We must keep our focus! Slytherin is trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!"

"Oliver, calm down!" Fred said, slightly alarmed at Oliver's outburst. "We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously!"

Oliver sent the team on their way, this time trying to make adjustments to everyone's plays.

"Zwart! I'm not going to let you play, but you should still be in uniform, just in case something happens." Oliver told me.

"Yessir!" I saluted him and got up on my broom.

I flew by George who glanced at me and then sped off. I sighed and continued with practice. Following Angelina's moves as she taught me what Oliver changed up.

I waited until Harry and I had left the changing room to pull him into some bushes.

"What -?"

"Quiet." I said gently.

"What are we doing?" Harry asked, now quiet.

"We're going to wait on Fred and George to get out." I said.

"Wh -"

He didn't get to finish, because the Weasley twins came out. And I jumped in front of them.

"Oh shit!" They both shouted.

"Sorry boys, but George and I need to talk." I said, smiling at them.

"I agree. I will leave you to it." Fred nodded and started to whistle as he walked away.

Fred gave another shout and I heard Harry, "sorry Fred."

They both laughed as they walked away.

I stared at George and he started to shuffle his feet.

"Please." I spoke.

He looked up at me, but couldn't seem to maintain eye contact with me.

"Tell me what I did wrong."

He sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"It wasn't your fault. I know that." He said.

I had to take a moment to figure out what he was talking about. The last thing I told him was about Gertrude.

"Does it bother you, knowing that I killed someone?" I asked quietly.

He hesitated and then he nodded.

"It bothers me too." I told him.

He looked at me sharply.

"I think about it, every day. When I wake up, as I'm eating, during classes, and sometimes, I still dream about it." This time I couldn't look at him.

"What really bothers me, is that I got away with it. No one blamed me. I didn't go to jail, muggle prison," I said when I saw his confusion, "I got to keep living my life. And I know Gertrude wasn't the best of people, but I have to live with what I've done to her."

"I - I don't know what to say to that." George admitted.

"And that's okay. I just want to know if we're okay?" I asked.

George started to shuffle again.

"I'll take that as a no, then." I sighed.

"I'm sorry." George said.

"It's okay. I guess I didn't know how bad it was going to be between us." I gave him a half-hearted smile.

"I'm still sorry." George said.

"Is there - is there anyway we can fix us?" I asked.

George took a deep breath.

"I need to know." I said quietly.

He took another deep breath and looked at me.

"I don't think it can be fixed." He finally said.

My heart broke.

"That's all I needed to know." I said, putting on a fake smile .

"Are you okay?" He asked, taking a step towards me.

"I will be. Just - just know that I am sorry." I said to him.

I turned on my heel and walked away. I knew he was following behind me but he wasn't trying to walk with me, and I appreciated that. When we got into the castle, Fred and Harry were smiling about something and when I got to them they both dropped their smiles when they saw me.

"Cassie -" Fred opened his mouth.

"Not now, sorry." I waved him off.

Harry threw his arm over my shoulders and I put my arm around his back and we took some turns and just wandered around the castle.

"What happened?" He asked after I started to sniffle.

"It bothers him what I did to Gertrude, and he doesn't think he can look past that." I explained.

Harry inhaled sharply and stopped me. He pulled me into a hug and I buried my head into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." Harry said.

"It's not your fault. At least I don't have to worry about which side of the family I get it from." I let out a dry laugh.

Harry cracked a smile and lead me back to the common room.

On Friday, it was so dark extra lanterns and candles had to be lit around the school. I thought it was the neatest thing and I had a faint smile on my face. This time I was avoiding George and Fred when I saw them. And they seemed to be everywhere I went.

I knew it was Fred using the map, so I started to play his game, and I would discreetly pull out mine and start to avoid them. I had made to Defense Against the Dark Arts class and was sitting peacefully when someone decided to throw a balled up paper to my head.

I ignored them and the door opened at that moment.

"Professor Lupin is not feeling well, and has asked me to take over his class today." Snape walked in.

"Is Professor Lupin alright?" Hermione asked.

Snape glared at her.

"He just said, Lupin is not feeling well." I hissed at her.

She blushed and bent her head down.

Snape started to look around Lupin's desk and was sniffing.

"I see that Professor Lupin has-"

I turned around with the rest of the class when the door opened and Harry had just come in.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin, I -" He stopped when he saw Snape in Lupin's place.

"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down." Snape sneered.

Harry didn't move and I groaned.

"Where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked.

"He says he is feeling ill to teach today," Snape's lips twisted into a smile.

A gross smile.

"What's wrong with him?" Harry asked, still not moving.

"Nothing life-threatening." Snape said coldly. "Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty."

"Harry!" I hissed at him.

He looked at me.

"Sit down!" I hissed, pointing at his seat across the walkway from me.

Harry walked slowly to his seat.

"As I was saying," Snape turned back to the class. "Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covers so far -"

"Please, sir, ye've done boggarts, Red Caps, kappas, and grindylows," Hermione was quick to start speaking. "We're just about to start -"

"Be quiet." Snape was cold. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."

"He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," Dean was the next to speak up.

I nodded my head in agreement as the class murmured theirs.

"You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you - I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and grindylows -"

"Kind of hard to know how to deal with that when our first year Defense teacher had Voldemort whispering in his ear." I stretched my arms over head.

Snape glared at me, "another five points from Gryffindor."

"And our second year Defense teacher only ever talked about himself. So Professor Lupin should get more credit for being able to catch us third years up to speed." I finished.

Hermione was kind enough to dig her elbow into my ribcage.

"Detention, Zwart." Snape glared.

I gave him a cheeky grin.

"Today, we shall discuss -" Snape flipped the book all the way to the last chapter. "-werewolves."

"But, sir," Hermione opened her mouth, "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start hinky-punks -"

"Miss Granger," Snape's voice was deadly calm. "I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394."

No one moved.

"All of you! Now!"

Hermione and I shared a look and flipped our books open.

"Have you read this far?" I whispered to her.

"Of course. Have you?" She asked me.

"No." I shook my head.

"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" Snape asked.

I did a quick read of the first page while Hermione's hand shot up.

"Anyone?" Snape ignored Hermione. "Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between -"

"We told you," Parvarti spoke up suddenly, "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on -"

"Silence!" Snape snarled. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are…"

"Please, sir," Hermione's hand was still in the air, "the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf -"

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," Snape was still cold. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

Hermione went red. I put my hand on hers and she gave it a squeeze.

"You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?" Ron spoke up, and said the wrong thing.

"Detention Weasley," Snape had made his way to Ron. "And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed."

No one else spoke for the rest of the lesson. We did take turns glaring at Snape when he walked around the class. He had papers from previous tests Lupin had given us.

"Very poorly explained… That is incorrect, the kappa is more commonly found in Mongolia… Professor Lupin gave this eight out of ten? I wouldn't have given it three…"

The bell couldn't ring fast enough. And even as we hurried to get out, Snape held us back.

"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, and I want them by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand. Weasley, Zwart, stay behind, we need to arrange your detention."

Ron and I walked to Snape as he stood against the desk. He had a satisfied glint in his eye.

"You two will both be helping Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing. I believe she has a pile of bed pans that need scrubbing. The non-magical way." He smirked at us.

"Yes sir." I said stiffly.

I grabbed Ron's arm. I wasn't sure what he was going to say.

"Tonight. At eight o'clock sharp. I will check in to make sure you are there." Snape gave a final nod.

"Yes sir." I nodded back to him.

He glared at me before waving us off.

"Let's go." I muttered to Ron and we walked out of the classroom.

We caught up to Harry and Hermione, who were down the corridor from the classroom.

"D'you know what that -" Ron started.

"Soddy wanker!" I said under my breath.

"Exactly!" Ron pointed at me and gave me an approving smile.

"Cassie!" Hermione gasped.

Harry gaped at me.

"-is making us do? We've got to scrub out the bedpans in the hospital wing. Without magic!" Ron finished. "Why couldn't Black have hidden in Snape's office, eh? He could have finished him off for us!"

I woke up early the next morning. I still felt gross from the scrubbing Ron and I did last night. Madam Pomfrey made us scrub all of her bed pans. And even though I took as long of a shower I could take, I took another one this morning and scrubbed my hands and arms so hard, I started to lightly bleed.

I made it down to the common room and Crookshanks and Ariel were cuddling on the couch together.

"You two are cute." I said, scratching their ears.

Ariel started to purr at me and rolled over to show me her stomach.

"No babies." I said sternly.

There was a chuckle close to the fire and that caused me to jump.

Harry was chuckling and shaking his head at me.

"No babies." He said before laughing some more.

"Ha ha ha." I said dryly before giving him a smile.

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

"Yeah, think it's about time for breakfast?" He asked.

"I hope so. I'm hungry." I said, leading the way out of the common room.

"Stand and fight, you mangy cur!" Sir Cadogan shouted.

"Oh shut up!" Harry yawned as we walked down the staircase.

Harry woke up a bit more when he started to eat a bowl of porridge. The rest of the team joined us when we started on some toast.

"It's going to be a tough one." Wood, who wasn't eating anything, stared at the ceiling.

"Stop worrying, Oliver, we don't mind a bit of rain." Alicia said in a soothing tone.

It was a terrible storm. I was starting to get concerned for my team. They would have to fly in this.

Wood wasn't able to say anything when everyone was changed out. So he lead the way to the field.

The wind was whipping around. If I hadn't put my black hair in a tight braided bun, it would have scratched up my face.

Harry was wearing the goggles I had gotten him for his birthday, and I was tempted to give Wood mine, since he would need them more than I was going too. But I didn't get a chance to give them to him, he sent me to the reserve box.

McGonagall was in the box waiting for me. Normally she was chaperoning Jordan, but he didn't need to commentate the game, since no one could hear him. She had a cup of hot chocolate waiting for me and a blanket that managed to keep the rain off of me.

"Thank you!" I mouthed to her.

She gave me a nod and we attempted to watch the game.

Line Break

The blanket and the hot mug had gotten cold. When I opened my mouth to let out air, I could see it. My heart sank and McGonagall and I both moved.

I heard McGonagal's voice, but I couldn't make out what she was saying. I didn't stay to find out. I got on my broom and flew past Wood.

"The Dementors are here!" He shouted into my ear.

"Where's Harry?" I shouted back.

Wood shook his head and tried to pull me to the ground. I waved him off and took off.

It was difficult trying to control my broom, but I was focused on trying to find Harry. Cedric flew by me and he had the Snitch in his hand.

I squinted through the rain clouds and I saw something plummeting down.

"THERE!" I shouted to myself and dove.

Harry wasn't moving, so the dementors must've gotten him. I managed to catch his arm and I slowed us down, but Harry was dead weight and my broom wasn't up to holding in him in this weather. So we dropped a few more feet before we were enveloped in a blue light.

Harry and I floated safely to the ground

"Zwart!" McGonagall was over me once the light was gone.

"Harry! Check Harry!" I was in tears.

I don't know how we both got to the hospital but I was being checked over with Hermione sitting on the bed with me. She was crying as we waited for Harry to wake up.

"You weren't even playing and you still went out there." Madam Pomfrey tsked.

"My friend was out there." I responded.

"Lucky the ground was so soft." Fred said, standing next to me.

"I thought he was dead for sure." George said.

"But he didn't even break his glasses." Fred shrugged.

"That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life." Ron said, looking up at me.

I nodded my agreement. It wasn't the first time Harry had fallen off his broom, but it was the first time Harry could have died. And the first time he didn't catch the Snitch on his way down.

"You can go when he wakes up. You need a warm shower and you'll be fine." Madam Pomfrey said to me.

"Thank you, Madam." I nodded to her quietly.

Harry's eyes suddenly snapped open.

"Harry!" Fred was the first to say anything. "How're you feeling?"

What happened?" Harry asked, sitting up suddenly.

"You fell off," Fred explained, "must've been - what - fifty feet?"

"We thought you'd died." Alicia was shaking.

"It was lucky Cassie managed to get to you in time. Dumbledore did slow you two down, but if she hadn't been there, you would have hit the ground harder." Ron spoke up.

Harry looked up and saw me on the bed next to his.

"You are going to get yourself killed looking after me." He said.

"You need someone to look after you." I shrugged.

"What happened at the match? Are we doing a replay?" Harry asked, turning to the rest of the team.

We looked at each, avoiding Harry's gaze.

"We didn't - lose?"

"Diggory got the Snitch." George answered. "Just after you fell. He didn't realize what had happened. When he looked back and saw you on the ground, he tried to call it off. Wanted a rematch. But they won fair and square… even Wood admits it."

"Where is Wood?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Still in the showers," Fred answered this time. "We think he's trying to drown himself."

Harry pulled his knees to his chest and put his face in between.

"C'mon, Harry, you've never missed the Snitch before." Fred grabbed Harry's shoulder.

"There had to be one time you didn't get it." George added.

"And the dementors are the ones to blame for how the game ended." I spoke up.

Harry tried to look okay, but we knew he wasn't. The rest of the team got to talking about how we could win the Quidditch cup this time around. Madam Pomfrey came and excused them away, letting Harry have us for a few more minutes.

"Dumbledore was really angry." Hermione finally spoke up. "I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field as you two fell, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before hitting the ground. Then he whirled his wand at the dementors. Shot some silver stuff at them. They left the stadium right away… He was furious they'd come onto the grounds. We heard him -"

"He magicked you onto a stretcher." Ron took over. "And walked up to school with you floating on it. Everyone thought you were…"

I looked down. I thought the same for a moment.

After some silence Harry spoke up.

"Did someone get my Nimbus?"

Ron, Hermione and I looked at each other in a slight panic.

"Er-" Ron said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Harry." I said.

He turned to look at me.

"When you were falling, I didn't see your broom…" I said slowly.

"And?" Harry urged us on.

"And it hit -" Hermione took over. "It hit - oh, Harry - it hit the Whomping Willow."

My insides lurched when it was said. Harry and I had both gotten our brooms at the same time, and just hearing that his had gotten tangled up in the Whomping Willow hurt.

"And?" Harry asked weakly.

"Well, you know the Whomping Willow," Ron shrugged. "It - it doesn't like being hit."

"Professor Flitwick brought it back just before you came around," Hermione's voice was small.

She reached for the bag under her feet, and tipped it over onto Harry's bed. Letting the broken bits of Harry's broom fall.

I was sent a message about doing an OC request story. I sent a message back about getting more information for it. I don't want to accept it if I'm going to end neglecting my series, and I don't want to end up neglecting their story either. As of right now, I will just be posting my Treasured series, but I will let you know if there's going to be another story out. But my Treasured series is my first priority.

Thank you for katie owl for leaving a review!

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