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CHAPTER FOUR: Hogwarts Encounters
"Darling, it's so wonderful to see you again," Narcissa said as she stood from her seat and walked around the coffee table to meet me with a warm hug. She leaned back, glancing down my body while grasping me by my shoulders. "That's an interesting choice for a dress."
"Why, thank you. I was in the alley the other day, and I passed by Madam Malkin's. In the window was a beautiful dress, but upon noticing the sale tag I wondered at the quality. I found this similar dress at Twilfitt and Tatting's. Don't you agree that their craftsmanship is superior?" I said with a smile.
Narcissa you under-handed woman you. I know what you're doing.
"Most assuredly." She responded, releasing my shoulders and turning to gesture towards the loveseat. "Come we can catch up over tea."
She returned to where she was sitting when I entered the room, while I sat crossing my ankles across from her. In the center of the coffee table was a delicate porcelain tea set resting daintily atop an ornate silver tray. Before Narcissa could settle herself, I began to serve the tea for the both of us.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed this tea set was one of the finer sets in her collection. The cups were decorated white with inlaid jade in the form of ivy wrapping around the outside. Flakes of silver scattered throughout the pattern to help move the eye from one side to the next. Rimming the lip and bottom of the cups were braids of jade and silver.
Chuckling to myself at her audacity, of course, she would use the fanciest set she has. I finished preparing her tea before gracefully handing it to her with both hands. She accepted my offer with a nod before addressing me again.
"Cassandra, I must say that you have progressed wonderfully in your efforts to learn the ways of pureblood etiquette. I think you are ready to be released onto the world." A small smile graced her lips, and a glimmer of pride was present in her gaze.
"What, really? I'm finally done?!" I exclaimed in shock. I'd been taking lessons in pureblood etiquette for almost year now. This is one of the last things I needed to do before Kate and I could put our plan into action.
Narcissa took another small sip from her tea while sighing. "I spoke too soon."
"Oh Narcissa, thank you so much! I'm so glad Draco barged into my classroom. I don't know what I would have done had I not met you. You've been instrumental in helping me with this." I expressed my gratitude.
"Now, I'm sure we would have met eventually, and trust me, darling, I would have offered my services regardless. A woman of your station needs to know how to behave our circles."
"I supposed we would have, but Draco expedited the process for us."
"How did you meet Draco again? I can never remember all the details and I have a soiree later this month for charity. The other ladies always ask about the two of you."
I sipped quickly from my tea before saying, "The first time I met Draco was when he barged into my potions lab demanding to see Severus."
FLASHBACK
"Dearest Severus, would it trouble you terribly in your long painstakingly busy day of being a portrait if I were to inquire about a thought that may have passed through my head today?" I asked with an impish grin.
Snape raised his head from his book and drawled in the most exasperated voice, "Cassandra, what… do you want?"
"Well, I was just curious if someone were to call you snep, how would you feel about it?... Cause I think it would be fun to tease your younger self."
Silence.
"Don't you have work to be doing?" He sighed.
"Well, I could be working right now, but I have important questions to ask you!"
"Hm…do you?"
"Why of course I mean this hair potion isn't going isn't going to make itself."
"Hair potion?"
"Yes, I'm confused as to whether I should use regular or magical petroleum jelly?"
Snape set down his book with a sinister smirk. "I fail to see how this requires my attention."
"I figured if anyone would know about hair treatments it would be you! I mean obviously, your lusciously lubricated locks speak for themselves."
"Cassandra. Must you begin with this?"
"But Severus, I must."
"If you don't control your American humor, and continue on with your work…"
"What? You gonna Snep me?" I interrupted barely holding in my laugh.
"CASSANDRA TRELAWNEY! DO NOT MAKE ME COME OUT THERE!" Snape yelled furiously.
At that exact moment, the Malfoy heir came barging into the room, out of breath and steaming.
"SNAPE! I have been looking for you all afternoon! You would not believe the hoops I've had to fly through today." Draco exclaimed as he stalked towards the portrait. A deep-seated scowl on his face.
"Draco… can you not see I was talking to someone?" Snape said quietly with seething rage. "This young woman behind you needs to be dealt with and. You. Will. Wait. Your. Turn."
Draco stopped in his path and turned to look at the woman just in time to see her quip back with a grin, "Well Snep's being sneppy today."
"You know what? You two are fit for each other, and I'm done here. Goodbye" Snape said as he turned and walked out of the portrait.
"What? Snape, NO! Come back, I need your help!" Draco rushed to say before Snape disappeared completely.
"Don't worry, he'll be back. He just went to GO WASH HIS HAIR!" I yell because I must always have the last word. Draco sat there looking at me in shock.
"Hey, I'm Cassandra Trelawney, but you can call me Cassie," I said holding out my hand.
He looked at my hand with disgust before responding, "Pleasure, when will he be back? I really did need his help."
The smile falls from my face as I let my hand fall back to my side. This is my first-time meeting Draco FUCKING Malfoy and I've already ruined it. Wonderful.
"Maybe I could help you. If you were going to Severus about potions, I have my mastery in potions." I offered to try to salvage any small ounce of respect I can. Draco's expression changed from disgust to suspicion.
"It is about potions, but I don't know how well I want to air my business with someone I don't know."
"But you do know me. You know I'm Cassandra Trelawney."
"This is ridiculous. I didn't come here for this. I'll just come back later!" Draco said turning to leave.
"Draco, you can trust her. She knows potions, even though she may be an idiot." Snape's voice came floating out of the portrait. We both spun to look at the empty frame.
Draco sighed before addressing me again, "If Snape says you can help, then with the day I have had I'll try it. But not here, this will be a long conversation because you will need to know everything about my business. Do you have any place reasonable for us to discuss this?"
"Yeah sure, we can go to my sitting room. Follow me."
END FLASHBACK
"Yes, Draco did present himself rather poorly, didn't he?" Narcissa commented as I finished telling the story.
"Yes, but you mustn't scold him. He was having an off day and Severus and I weren't being kind either." I stood and started to walk towards the door. "Regardless, I know our time together has been short. But I must be off, Kate needs to give me her next excuse as to why a project of ours is to be put aside again."
Narcissa lead me to the gates to see me off and said, "Once again, it was wonderful to see you, darling. Please don't hesitate to visit. It's nice to see how far you've come since meeting you. Take care now."
"You as well, Narcissa. Goodbye." I said as I turned and disapparated.
HOGWARTS GROUNDS
Oh no! Here she comes. PLEASE, don't notice me!
Kate was nestled underneath an ancient oak tree covered in moss that rested just next to the Black Lake. This was prime relaxing space, but not if Cassie comes butting in.
"Kate, what are you doing? Don't you have robes to order or papers to write?" She said as she stomped up to her from the pathway. "You have a million things to do before we can leave, yet here you are relaxing!"
Kate quickly transformed back and protested, "I can't work all the time Cassie! All work, no play will kill you! Cut me some slack."
"Ugh, you are just too much sometimes. Find me when you have news about when we can finally leave. You know where I'll be." She muttered as she stormed away.
Seriously, that woman needs to chill pill. I think I'll just take a real quick nap.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Kate wandered aimlessly, exploring Hogwarts. It had become something of a ritual for her to tour the old forgotten places of the ancient castle. Some days, the halls lead to beautiful courtyards covered in towering walls of ivy. Other days, they lead to dark tunnels and strange creatures.
Today, however, as Kate curiously walked down an open corridor, something was very different. She came to a stop as she passed a group of annealed glass windows on the far side of the hall. Several of the windows were propped open and plant vines hung out of them, spilling down the old stones.
Changing quickly into a cat, Kate crossed the hall. She stopped just below one window, crouched, and jumped up into the room. Upon landing on the table of the Herbology greenhouse, everything began to go wrong. The vines, which had previously been laying still, jumped to life and coiled themselves around Kate's cat form. Kate fought the vines, knocking over several pots, causing crashing sounds and the angry yowls of the cat to echo throughout the room.
Kate thrashed, trying to free herself from the vile plant, her attention focused solely on getting away from the lethal greenery. So much so, that she almost missed the flash from a stranger's wand. The plant's vines went limp, allowing Kate to jump down and away from the Venomous Tentacula. She dashed under a low table, hiding from further attacks.
The wizard, who fired the charm, began to slowly circle the room. "Easy kitty," he said, "I'm not gonna hurt you." The man continued to inspect the room, looking for Kate under benches and tables. As he came closer to her hiding place, Kate tensed, ready to bolt. Upon reaching the correct table, the man dropped down to look underneath. Kate extended her claws, ready for a fight.
The man's head dropped into the opening, causing Kate to look into the eyes of her savior. The soft eyes that met her gaze caused her to rethink her plan of action.
"Hey, there you are." The blond man said softly, slowly backing away from the table. "I'm not gonna pull you out of there, but you can come out if you want." the man said. Kate didn't know what to think. She decided to chance it, slowly crawling out from under the table. As she came out, the man remained still as not to frighten her.
Kate watched him with curiosity, wondering why he hadn't shooed her yet. She tilted her head, deciding to chance it, and meowed.
The man before her smiled at the brown cat. "Hello to you too," he said, "I'm Neville, are you lost from your witch or wizard?" Kate shook her head, looking down at the stones. Neville's smile fell, and he continued, saying, "You're a stray huh?" Kate meowed, moving closer to the seated man. He reached his hand out to pet her, scratching behind her ears.
"Poor kitty" Neville said, sadness in his eyes. "Well," He continued, "you shouldn't come into here by yourself." Kate purred, looking up at the kind man. However, a sense of dread settled upon the cat. She had seen kindness in people before, seen the looks of joy at her cat form, and the horror of her changing. The brown cat moved away from Neville and changed back into her original form, remaining low to the ground.
Kate turned, looking around the Herbology room wherever she could to avoid his gaze. "Thank you," she said in a small voice. Neville, who had stood quickly upon her changing, only stared at the young American. Kate waited for the inevitable. Everyone else runs, they always run. Kate waited, and waited, and waited, the heavy footfalls of retreat never sounding on the stones behind her.
Kate turned towards the man, questions in her eyes. Neville however, only looked on with a relaxed smile. "Why aren't you running? Aren't you scared of me?" Kate questioned. Neville's smile remained glued to his face. "I hate to break it to you," He said, "But you're not all that scary. I mean, you couldn't even beat a houseplant."
Kate tried to hold her stern face but failed miserably. She smiled, standing and regaining her strong outer wall. "Ya, I guess you're right! So, Neville, just who are you?" Neville, his smile illuminating the dimming room, said, "Neville Longbottom, professor of herbology and Ex-Auror. And you are?" Kate smiled, not even realizing how far her fears had disappeared. "My names Katherine Addams, Transfiguration Mistress with a minor in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Pleased to meet you."
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