A/N A long chapter this time around. There is some light non con later in this chapter, it isnt explicit, but well...its a dark story and rated M.
Cassiopeia squirmed in her chair uncomfortably; her hand still throbbing in beat with her heart, pains shooting briefly up her forearm. The pain lingered mainly around her ring and pinkie fingers, radiating out. She noticed with some grim satisfaction that her knuckles were swollen and there were a few scratches across the top of her hand.
It had been a long time since she had punched someone, really punched someone hard. It had been very satisfying in the moment, and definitely a well deserved in her personal opinion. It was this satisfaction she clung through as she sat in her chair, studiously ignoring the people in the chairs next to hers, facing four angry heads of houses.
"Over 30 years I've been teaching at this school, and in all my years I have never once had to convene a meeting with every head of house for circumstances such as this. The blatant disregard for the rules and the lack of respect you have shown for not only each other, but this school…" Professor McGonagall was on a roll, speaking sharply.
"And you Mr Gambol, a prefect is expected to act with the utmost integrity in every situation, to be at the centre of this conflict, which I may remind you resulted in the not insignificant injury to another student..." Professor Flitwick joined in, scolding Glynn who had slid down in his chair sullenly, looking suitably shamefaced.
"While admirable your intentions Miss Tonks, standing in to help another student, your handling of the situation simply elevated the fight instead of relieving it, making you just as party to this as the others…" Professor Sprout scolded Nymphadora, who sat rigidly in her chair, her posture defiant and expression fierce. Her eyes were changing colours rapidly, and her hair was a deep, pulsating red, reacting to her indignation and anger.
The three professors continued, feeding off each other's tirade, each singling out their particular student that was involved in what they referred to as the 'incident'.
"And you Severus, have you nothing to add to this?" Professor McGonagall turned her ire to the silent Potions Master.
She had a point, while all the other heads have strong words for the children; Professor Snape had been quietly examining his student, staring at her through narrowed eyes, his hands folded calmly upon his desk. Every other Professor was outwardly displaying some very strong, negative emotion, from anger, to disappointment, and consternation. Professor Snape was detached from it all, something that had finally caught the attention of his colleagues.
"Not at all Professor," he drawled, "Miss …Tonks and I are certainly due a very serious and undoubtedly long conversation about her remaining future in this school. A conversation that we will be having imminently, upon the dismissal of her fellow troublemakers, in private, before taking matters to the headmaster himself." Severus examined his fingernails lazily as he said this, ignoring the shocked looks flicker across those remaining in the room. Even Nymphadora paled, her posture dropping and her hair losing some of its red vibrancy.
"Sure you don't mean…?" Professor Sprout started, "Severus, Professor Snape, yes her actions were rather rash, I think expulsion might be a little bit of an over reaction don't you think?" It was Professor Flitwick, who looked genuinely worried for one of his favourite students.
Professor Snape's lip curled as he looked at the small man, "Despite what you wish, I must remind you Filius for what seems to be the hundredth time that Cassiopeia Tonks is my student, and is therefore mine to handle as I see fit. You manage your conniving eagle and I'll handle my troublesome student." He hissed.
Cassiopeia schooled her face, pulling the cold rage she felt earlier back to the surface, letting it dull her finer emotions, letting it completely overwhelm her. She would not be weak, and she would take each punch as it came.
Expulsion.
The word made a cold sweat break out across her forehead, and she continued her avoidance of everyone in the now very quiet room. She could feel everyone watching her, each with their own emotions and opinions plain in their gaze. Worry, shock, and trepidation, but it was Professor Snape's gaze she felt the most, it was intent, searching, and cold.
She bowed her head and began mentally reciting one of her favourite songs. When that didn't distract her sufficiently from her fear she began to mental unravel a spell diagram for one of her cursed objects, a desperate attempt at brainstorming something to distract her from her current reality. It was only partially successful.
The professors finished not much after the Slytherin Head's announcement of their conversation, each doling out punishments and warnings to their students before dismissing them with a warning not to get into any more trouble. They were on very thin ice.
It was a minor miracle that neither Charlie nor Glynn were barred from their respective quidditch teams, and Glynn was still allowed to keep his prefect badge. Professor's McGonagall and Flitwick however cautioned that if they stepped one foot out of line, even a toe, then both privileges would be lost.
Cassiopeia remained frozen in her seat while the others filed out the room, she carefully avoided her professor's eyes, her fingers reflexively going to her silver bracelet, letting the cold rage at her parents overtake her as she felt the stroked the smooth metal under her fingertips. The rage washed over her, blotting out all other emotions, leaving her cold, rational, and ready for a fight.
The door closed with a heavy thump, and silence reigned for a few uncomfortable moments. The silence started to break through the coldness that Cassiopeia was so desperately trying to maintain. She began to fidget, before taking a deep breath to calm herself.
"Do you recall Miss Tonks a conversation we had in your first year, during one of your detentions?" Professor Snapes voice was quiet, calm as he continued his examination.
"No? Pity, well allow me to jog your memory then, I asked you, a few short years ago, whether you were going to be a problem here at Hogwarts. I was concerned about a few shall we say similarities between you and your parents. You assured me that we would have no problem, and yet here we are." He spread his hand out, gesturing between them.
She did recall. It had been when she was serving detention in her first year, when she found out that Professor Snape was one of the few people who had always known who she really was. Her blood chilled as she remembered what he said he would do if he found there were too many similarities.
"I must say you have been doing an exceptionally poor job at convincing me you should remain at this institution. You have no regard for the rules, you are at odds with what seems like most of the school at this point, duelling and who knows what else you are up to, I do have some suspicions for your other activities, alas proof has yet to materialise definitively." He never raised his voice, his tone was perfectly even.
"Some of the professors here view you as a gifted witch, one who could go forth and be more than just a productive member of wizarding society. Professor Flitwick seems to have the delusion that you could really make a difference in the theoretical charms field, as he has found the need to continuously inform me. And yet all I see is a foolish, maladjusted child who resorts to violence above all else. I see a girl who is playing with fire, and is slowly burning the whole house down around her. I see someone who is growing up to be exactly that what she so despises, I see a future Lestrange.
Every student who leaves the Slytherin house is a reflection upon myself as its head. And I will be damned if I let another Lestrange graduate from this house and go into wizarding society to cause the same havoc your parents did. If you continue on this path, I will personally escort you out of this school and ensure the destruction of your wand." He never raised his voice, his face was completely emotionless, and he was very matter of fact about the whole situation. It chilled her to her bones.
"You have a choice Miss Tonks that you need to make right now." Professor Snape leaned back into his chair, folding his hands calmly on his desk.
"You can take this warning to heart and work on becoming at the very least a less violent member of society. As your head of house I am obligated to offer assistance if you so desire. I highly recommend accepting said assistance because you obviously have little to no self-control. Or you can continue down the path you are on now, in which case I suggest we move this conversation to the headmaster's office."
Cassiopeia swallowed nervously, "I don't want to be expelled sir." Her voice was so small and she shrunk into her chair, covering her face entirely with her long curls. "Please sir, I cant be expelled." She sounded desperate, weak.
"Know this Miss Tonks, if you set a single toe out of line, you are out of this school. And not just this year, I mean any serious infractions for the rest of your career here at Hogwarts and I will make certain of your expulsion. As for your punishment for now, I'd say double detention with me for the rest of the term, 50 points from Slytherin house and a letter written in your own hand explaining to your adopted parents just why you broke their daughters nose. Are we clear?"
She nodded weakly, feeling nauseous at the thought of how close she had come to getting kicked out of Hogwarts.
"Then get out of my sight and report back to me at 6 for your detention."
She slunked out of room quickly, trying to put as much distance between her and the professor as possible.
Xxx
She kept her head down for the following few days, darting quickly between classes and going back to her common room immediately after. She went to breakfast ridiculously early, always one of the first ones in the hall and rushed back to her dorms shortly after. She rationed out her potions, lowering her doses, trying to make the supply she had last as long as possible.
Her classes were unbearable; everyone stared at her with emotions ranging from disgust to outright hatred. Her parents had been prolific death eaters, and it seemed they had left a mark on most wizarding families. Everyone who was around during the war was either personally affected by the Lestranges, or had friends who were. Everywhere she went she heard whispers, about the atrocities committed during the war, about Azkaban, and about how she must have been complicit in it. Nobody wanted to sit next to her in her classes, and she almost cried when Daniel Jones, the Gryffindor whom she had once thought of as her dearest friend, reluctantly took the empty seat at her desk. Though he did not acknowledge her, completely ignoring any small attempt she made at talking to him, she felt a little warm just by the gesture.
The real person she was avoiding however was her boyfriend Glynn. She didn't know how he had taken the news about her true identity. She had lied to him for their whole relationship, and it had come out in a very public way. She knew he must be livid and she wasn't certain whether they were even an item anymore. She worried about his anger, about his rejection, and she felt sick when she tried to imagine a life without him. Also, on a very practical level, he kept her supply of potions, and she was rapidly running out, with exams coming up, it was now more important than ever that she should focus.
The decision to speak to Glynn was made for her however when she left breakfast early once morning. Glynn was leaning against the wall next to the entrance of the Slytherin common room. Aside from the general sleepiness in his gaze, he was emotionless, studying her carefully as she walked slowly to her destination. Her stomach flipped and she regretted eating the bit of beans and toast she managed earlier.
She stopped a few feet away from him, burying her face behind her curls, fidgeting nervously.
"Don't hide from me Cass," his voice was soft, his gaze still intent on the girl.
She fought the urge to bury herself deeper behind her wild mane of hair, but reluctantly pushed some of it away, behind her ear.
"You lied to me." It was a statement, not a question.
"Well, not exactly. More like omitted information." Her voice shook slightly, fear and anxiety knotting deep in her belly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" his voice took on a strange tone but his face remained cold, calculating.
"How could I? I have spent years trying to pretend that it wasn't real, that they aren't my parents. I just want to forget them. Forget who I was." Her throat felt tight and her eyes burned, how could she even begin to explain herself?
"Forget? Why would you want to forget who you are? Merlin Cassiopeia, even those terrible experiences shape who you are as a person now. And I happen to be rather fond of the person that you are. You must know I don't give a hippogriffs arse where you come from or who you came from. I can see past all that rubbish. I love you and you avoiding me has made me miserable this past week. I am worried for you, I want to help you, and instead you freeze me out.
Of course I wish you had told me sooner, that you felt comfortable enough in our relationship to share your true past with me. I hate being lied to, and I hate being caught by surprise. But that doesn't detract from my worry about you," His eyes darkened as he recalled the shock at the very public announcement that his girlfriend was someone completely different than he had thought.
"And yes, I was a little angry at you for lying, but I know you will make it up to me, and I know our relationship is strong enough to get past this unfortunate omission." He took a few steps closer to her, his fingers toying with her hip, "that is if you'll still have me."
Of course, she knew Glynn had been hurt by her lie, and she knew it must have been unbearable for him the past week since the public revelation of her true parentage. She had been so caught up in her own emotions; she forgot to take others into account, again. Relief thrummed through her system, mixing with the aftershocks of anxiety unpleasantly, Glynn still loved her. She sighed deeply, burying herself in his arms, allowing his presence to envelope her entirely in an all-encompassing embrace. At least she still had Glynn. She was going to be fine so long as she still had him.
"Of course, if you'll still have me."
Xxx
Term passed with Cassiopeia remaining a pariah at the school. Nobody except for Glynn and occasionally Daniel Jones would speak to her, or even acknowledge her unless it was to insult her. Cassiopeia kept her head down, refusing to retaliate; she took her abuse and accepted it as part of her new life in the open. Her professors still called her Miss Tonks, must to the resentment of the fellow students, who were very vocal in her classes of their objections. Cassiopeia just took deep breaths when she felt her patience wane, recalling Professor Snape's warning of expulsion.
She had mixed feelings about the upcoming summer holiday. On the one hand she was ecstatic to be leaving the school, but she was dreading to returning to the Tonks household. She wasn't sure what response she would get from Andromeda and Ted after she wrote a letter home, under the supervision of Professor Snape, explaining the fight she had with their daughter. She wondered if they would send her a howler, loudly stating their intent to disown her, she imagined a long letter explaining how they had made a mistake adopting her, and how they were going to send her back to the muggles.
The response she received set her teeth on edge more than any of her imagined scenarios. It was a short missive, written in Andromeda's neat handwriting, stating that they would be having a family discussion over the break. That was it, no angry words, or details of their inevitable disappointment, just a simple, single sentence.
So as the break approached the greater the fear she felt at going back to the Tonks household. Glynn tried to console her, suggesting that they must see her side in things. Merlin how she loved that boy, he offered her a bit of an out if it all went wrong with the Tonks. He had already spoken to his parents and they had agreed to let her stay with them over the holidays, if she so wished. She also wrote a brief letter to her Aunt Narcissa, outlining the bare bones of her situation, and they too offered her a place to stay if she needed. She had support, though the support did little to comfort her.
Cassiopeia spent the ride back to London curled up next to Glynn, her headphones firmly in place as he read a book. They had a compartment all to themselves, Glynn forgoing the company of his friends for her. They didn't speak, there was nothing to say, Cassiopeia knew Glynn had her back if she needed it; all she had to do was ask.
The Tonks gave no outward indication at the station when they picked the girls up about how the holiday was going to go. Glynn had insisted on walking her over to the waiting Tonks, mainly so he could throw a venomous look at Nymphadora, and give a polite nod to her guardians.
"If you need anything." He whispered in her ear, after an unusually long goodbye embrace, each reluctant to be away from each other. She gave him a final kiss, uncaring that she was in full view of her guardians, she figured on the scale of things to be angry about; kissing her boyfriend was a low priority.
The drive back to the house was conducted in an uncomfortable silence, neither girl willing to acknowledge the others existence, with Andromeda and Ted riding in silence in the front, awful pop music from the radio was the only sound in the car.
They walked into the house, silence still reigning, with both girls eager to storm to their respective rooms. Just when Cassiopeia was going to make a break for it, Andromeda cut them off.
"Living room. Now." Her voice was low and for the first time she turned fiery eyes to the two girls in front of her. Squirming under her gaze, both girls followed her directions, with a meek looking Ted following.
The girls sat on opposite sides of the room from each other. Each girl claimed a couch for herself, trying to put as much distance as physically possible between them.
"Explain. You first Nymphadora." Andromeda's voice was cold and her gaze was sharp. Dora started immediately proclaiming how everything was Cassiopeia's fault, trying to shift as much blame as possible to the other girl. Andromeda's voice cut over her daughters as she silenced her.
"Nymphadora Tonks. I am going to say this once, so I hope you are listening very closely. I have no interest in whose fault this fight was. I want to know what happened, from your point of view. I want only the facts, and if you start using hyperbole I swear on merlin that I will cancel Christmas and ground you until the end of your Hogwarts career. The same goes for you Cassiopeia."
Both girls gulped. Thoroughly cowed by the cold rage in Andromeda, Nymphadora tried her best to lay out the events that led to her broken nose, trying to refrain from putting in her own commentary and interpretations atop of the story. She was only mildly successful.
"And so I let everyone know just what type of witch 'she' is, and how she was no sister of mine. I told everyone just what she was." Nymphadora ended, glaring darkly at Cassiopeia who met her stare without flinching.
Andromeda nodded, accepting Nymphadora's side of the story before turning to Cassiopeia. "Your turn, explain."
And so Cassiopeia tried to outline the circumstances of her involvement. Saying how she initially stepped in to protect her boyfriend from being attacked. And that regardless of the circumstances she was going to stand and help him, as she loved him.
The Tonks both twitched when she proclaimed her love for the Ravenclaw boy but neither interrupted her. She then went on to say how Dora had inserted herself into a fight that had nothing to do with her, publically humiliated her, and shouted her darkest, most dear secret to the school, effectively ruining her school career and life. Cassiopeia explained how since the incident nobody wanted to talk to her, that she was the subject of many cruel pranks, and had a target on her back. And there was nothing she could do about it because Professor Snape had threatened her with expulsion, She wouldn't quite apologise for breaking Nymphadora's nose, but she did emphasize how desperate she was in the moment, about how angry she was that others would find out, how it was her biggest fear in life, and one that Nymphadora made come true.
Andromeda listened to both girls, her face stony. "Nymphadora, how dare you reveal something so personal and damaging about Cassiopeia." She finally said quietly, her voice cold.
"What? You can't be seriously taking her side in this." Cassiopeia felt smug at the look of outrage that erupted from Nymphadora.
"And you," Andromeda spun on Cassiopeia whose smile dropped off her face, the glow of triumph fading as quickly as it had come. "You, no matter what the situation it, physical violence is never the answer. It frankly both shocks and terrifies me just how easily you turned from trying to diplomatically calm things down to fighting."
"I had things handled until she decided to stick her big nose into it." Cassiopeia groused, glaring at the other girl.
"How could I not, you were about to beat up Charlie, the poor boy isn't a fighter and you were going to take advantage of that. I reckon you just get off jinxing people into the next century, especially easy targets. It must run in your blood." Dora's face was a flaming red in anger, her hair growing short and her eyes shifting between colours as she lost some of her control.
Cassiopeia flushed and a cold bolt of anger shot through her body, she clenched her teeth and tried to breath through the flashes of red as she processed Nymphadora's words, preparing an angry retort. Ted however beat her to it.
"Nymphadora." Ted said harshly, finally losing his temper, his eyes steely and his voice hard. The rooms occupants stilled, unused to seeing Ted angry, such a rare occurrence it was.
"You seem to be labouring an incorrect assumption that you know everything about the Lestranges. You know nothing and it is the height of cruelty to use her childhood against her as a weapon. I thought I had raised you better than that, but I must've gone wrong somewhere. Cassiopeia is your family, and here to stay, and her past is her own business, it is not something you will ever bring up again in mine or anyone's company ever again." Ted leaned forward in his seat, looking his daughter in the eye, his face very serious as he spoke.
"Oh come off it dad, we all know that you only took her in because mom made you. And you even gave her your name, something she is dragging through the mud. Probably because she no longer lives the charmed life she had, a rich pureblood in society like the Malfoys, now she has to slum it with the burned half bloods." Nymphadora sneered, refusing to be intimidated by her normally timid father.
"You think my family was like the Malfoys?" Cassiopeia was incredulous, if only she had been so lucky.
Dora turned a disdainful eye to the girl, "Sure, aren't all rich pure-blooded families the same?"
Cassiopeia laughed darkly, her face twisting into a hideous snarl, "you are an even thicker than I suspected. Do you know anything about Bellatrix and Rudolphus Lestrange?"
"They were death eaters, what more do I need to know." Dora retorted, a kernel of uncertainty taking route at the girls transformation. She had never seen anyone look so fearsome as Cassiopeia did in that instant.
"They didn't just kill people you idiot. They tortured people; they took pleasure in other peoples pain, including mine. Once my father poisoned me because he was bored. I accidently spoke to a girl once, your age probably, just to apologise for knocking into her. My mother punished me for talking to a mudblood with the Cruciatus curse, a spell I am intimately familiar with. She then murdered the girl's whole family, and recounted it to me in great detail. Want me to tell you how she did it? I can explain it to you if you like, every curse, every scream, every grisly element of that one attack. Mother was very descriptive. Or perhaps you would like me to describe the intricacies of the unforgivables; I have experience with all of them in form or another. "
Cassiopeia was shaking, she felt nauseous, lightheaded, and slightly hysterical. She was also angry at the hot tears running down her face, she was being weak, and it was despicable. She couldn't remember a time in her life where she had been more enraged, more disgusted with a person than she was with her adopted sister. She wanted to punch her again, to tear her hair out and to scream at her. She wanted to hold her down and yell every terrible thing she knew, she wanted the girl to feel just a fraction of the pain and horror she felt whenever her thoughts lingered too long on her childhood. She wanted the girl to experience the nightmares, to be haunted and sickened, unable to block out all the bloody information.
"Enough Cassiopeia." It was Ted, he was pale but his voice was still hard, his eyes flinty.
"And for the record Dora, it was my decision to bring Cassiopeia into the family, not your mothers. And it was my idea to formally invite her to become a Tonks. And I have not experienced a single regret over it." Ted said stiffly, examining his daughter closely to see if she understood his words.
Dora had the ghost of defiance in her face, but she was pale and her eyes shone with uncertainty as she processed what the younger girl was telling her, torn between believing her or holding onto her anger.
"I think that's enough for tonight." Andromeda said softly, looking between both girls, "but this isn't over. Cassiopeia we need to have a long conversation about your behavioural issues, and Nymphadora we need to address your anger and your penchant to gossiping."
Cassiopeia stormed out of the room, slammed the door shut to her bedroom, threw herself on her bed, buried under the covers, and slammed her headphones on, turning the music up as high as possible in an attempt to block out the memories, the sickening details that were coming to the forefront of her mind after her outburst. She cried for hours that night until she fell into a fitful sleep, forgoing her usual potions. She slept fitfully, caught in the throes of one of the worst nightmares she had experienced in years, recalling the muggle born girl who lost her life because she had the unfortunate luck of meeting Cassiopeia.
She lasted about a week in the Tonks household. She pretended Nymphadora didn't exist whenever she was caught in the same room as her and her adopted sister acted in kind. There were a few more conversations about her behaviour with both Ted and Andromeda, something Cassiopeia suffered through sullenly, only getting angry when they began questioning her relationship with Glynn. They were worried he was a bad influence on her, as it was him who picked the fight with Charlie, not Cassiopeia, though she had certainly finished it. Even if they factored in any embellishing from their daughter, it seemed most of the trouble Cassiopeia found herself in at school was connected to Glynn in some way.
Questioning her relationship was her breaking point, she explained to the Tonks' that being in the same house as Nymphadora was bringing up painful feelings, and that she needed some space to cool down. They agreed reluctantly, giving her a leave to spend a few days with her aunt Narcissa.
Narcissa was pleased to have her stay for such a long period of time, and it happened to coincide with a small summer party they were throwing to celebrate the solstice. So Cassiopeia threw herself into party preparations with her aunt, trying to lose herself in the work and trying to desperately find an interest in colour coordinating napkins to place settings. In the end she wasn't much help to Narcissa, but she appreciated the company all the same.
The Malfoys included Glynn on the guest list at her request, and as the party approached so did her excitement at seeing her boyfriend again. A fortnight hadn't passed yet since the last time they saw each other, and yet the time apart felt like ages to Cassiopeia, who was exhausted from the fighting with the Tonks still. As the day approached so too did her excitement grow, the morning of she was practically leaping with excitement, happily throwing on a particularly flattering pair of robes Narcissa had given her, and even letting the older witch attempt to do something with her hair.
The party was a small event as far as Malfoy parties went, attended by those who were higher up in the ministry and a few wealthy families. Cassiopeia and Glynn were some of the only underage wizards present at the party, and instead of making polite conversation with the other guests they opted to sneak away for a snogging session in the Manor.
When they returned Glyn was promptly swept away by Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa who wanted to introduce the girl around to all the other women snatched Cassiopeia. Though they were polite and said nothing outright, Cassiopeia knew that her secret had spread far beyond Hogwarts when she saw the women's reaction to her name. The Tonks adoption of the daughter of a death eater was common news it seemed, and causing a minor scandal in the ministry. Of course, the Malfoy guests were at least polite enough to mask their morbid intrigue at meeting a girl born from such infamous parents.
The party passed in a blur, Cassiopeia longing to spend more time with Glynn, but whenever she went to search him out she was either side-tracked or he was busy chatting with official looking wizards from the ministry. She passed the time away from her boyfriend by conversing with her young cousin Draco, who was nine now, and very grown up. He had a million questions about Hogwarts, about different spells that she was learning, and about the Slytherin house. She found his curiosity delightful and his company an adequate distraction from the things that were going wrong in her life thus far. She was disappointed when the party bean to slow down, with guests excusing themselves long before the sun set. She was outright shocked and more than a little hurt when Glynn made his excuses, leaving the party rather hastily, giving her a long kiss goodbye before returning home without wishing the Malfoys a goodbye.
His strange behaviour was explained the next morning when Lucius Malfoy sat down for breakfast, unusually serious with a calculating glint in his eye.
"So tell me, how long have you and that Gambol boy been dating?" There was no good morning, or even a hello. It was a very abrupt start to a conversation that Cassiopeia feared she would need more coffee for. Narcissa gave her a careful sideways look but if she found her husbands behaviour strange or rude she refrained from commenting.
"Er…" she took a hasty sip of her coffee, trying to figure it out exactly, "maybe 18 months." She said cautiously.
Lucius nodded, carefully cutting his eggs, "And you are happy? He treats you well? With respect?" his words were dry, but he was studying her.
Cassiopeia was beyond confused now, the Malfoys had showed Glynn interest in the past as someone she was interested in, but they had never asked about their actual relationship before.
"I guess. I mean, I love him." She said quietly, wondering why her appetite was suddenly disappearing.
Lucius hummed as he chewed his eggs thoughtfully, "has he ever mentioned any aspirations for his post Hogwarts career? He is going into his final year correct?" Cassiopeia didn't like the way Lucius was asking the questions. Innocent enough as they were, there was something off about his attitude, he was watching her too closely and it was making her fidget in her chair.
She glanced at her aunt Narcissa to see how she was reacting to her husband's line of questioning. Her aunt was no help however; the woman had finished eating and was calmly drinking her tea, her eyes also watching Cassiopeia closely.
"Actually he hasn't mentioned anything specific, just some vague things about perhaps going into the ministry, in a position with some chance of advancement." She scratched the back of her neck, letting her hair fall in front of her face as she looked down at her plate of food which was rapidly cooling.
"And what about you dear? Have you thought about what you would like to do after Hogwarts?" Narcissa jumped into the conversation now, her voice warm in contrast to the calculating glint in her eyes. Cassiopeia had spent enough time with her aunt to recognise that look. Narcissa had her society face on, she was digging for something, something she didn't want to come outright and say.
Cassiopeia briefly toyed with the idea of calling them out on their game, demanding to know why they had a sudden interest in her relationship, but instead she swallowed her frustration. She would play their game, for a bit at least.
"I was thinking- well Professor Snape reckons I should become a curse breaker, and Professor Flitwick thinks I should do something with theoretical or experimental charms work."
Narcissa gave the girl a small smile, a little more genuine this time. "That's a splendid idea dear, a very interesting subject that would certainly take you to some very interesting places, though a bit dangerous, and much too adventurous for me. Have you discussed these plans with Glynn?"
"I've mentioned my interest a few times, but I mean there is still so much time between now and graduation… I haven't even taken my O.W.L.S. yet" Cassiopeia trailed off.
"It is a few years off for you yet," Lucius acquiesced, his eyes sharpening further, "But for Gambol, the decision is just around the corner. He approached me yesterday asking for assistance in gaining an internship, did he tell you?" Lucius voice was soft, he watched her very closely.
Cassiopeia fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling her face warm a little. He certainly did not tell her that he was going to ask a favour from her uncle, she bristled at the thought. She didn't want to owe them anymore than she already did, and she certainly didn't want Glynn owing them anything. Though she was nice with them now, she did still remember just what sort of man her Uncle Lucius was.
"He ah, might have neglected to mention it." She said, chewing her lip.
"Oh yes, he seems to have many big ideas for the future, your future included. I simply wondered if you had any input in his opinions." Lucius's vice was turning cold and she could see the sneer form on his face. Her stomach flipped, whatever he had said to her uncle clearly did not go over well. She thought back to the previous day, his hasty departure and wondered just what had gone wrong.
"He seems to be under the impression that you will be with him for all of the foreseeable future. A housewife to cook and clean for him while he works. He also dared to use you as a bargaining chip to gain a rather prestigious entry position at the ministry upon his graduation." Lucius's voice was dangerously soft, a vicious look blooming on his face.
"Naturally I told him just how little I thought threats against my family. I daresay he was rather hasty in his retreat." He smirked now, but the dangerous glint was still there, hiding in the shadows of his features.
Cassiopeia took another sip of her drink, noting it was lukewarm now and tried to think of a response to them. It was obvious Lucius did not take Glynn's plea for aid very well, and that their attitudes were changing rather quickly in respect to the boy. She also wondered just how true Lucius Malfoys accusations were; she and Glynn had never discussed anything beyond Hogwarts, certainly not marriage! She was only fifteen; she wasn't ready for any of that.
"I can see from your poor attempt to hide your reactions that Gambol has not discussed this with you. I am going to be very frank with you Cassiopeia and you'd do well to heed my words and listen closely. Not very long ago there was a way of things within pureblood families, where such longer-term relationships were negotiated amongst the elders of a family to find the best pairings for young ones whilst still maintaining blood purity. These matches often took little to no emotional attachments or feelings into account and instead were often seen as political or business decisions. Your own parents were a product of this type of match, with Rudolphus gaining a wife, something he needed to be included in society, and with Bellatrix gaining husband who gave her a certain amount of freedom and independence. They did their pureblood duty as it was seen in those times by having you.
Things have changed since then, as most of us who were forced through this type of arrangement have wished to see it end with our generation. Of course we encourage you to see other suitable witches and wizards, of good heritage and stock, but we frown on those who wish to continue the business transaction or arranged elements of our world."
"What my husband is trying to say, very poorly I might add dear, is that we are worried about you. We don't want you to feel pressured into a life with this Gambol character, and we do not take well to his assumptions and gall to use you to gain leverage over us and our connections." Narcissa said, leaning over to grab her hand
He is the type of wizard who wants to live in the old ways, and his family has been long known to be very traditional. We do not want to see you in that situation or with that type of suitor if that is not what you wish. It is our opinion that you would do well to seriously reconsider your relationship and feelings about him. Gambol women become little more than trophies, or accessories to decorate ones house with. Its not right, certainly not for you." The woman continued.
Cassiopeia snatched her hand back from Mrs Malfoy, her mind racing with their words. They were wrong of course, Glynn loved her and treated her as his equal, he wouldn't do something like using her as a gambling chip. And yet, the Malfoys seemed rather adamant.
She shook her head once more, glaring at the family around her, her appetite suddenly gone.
"I—thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will deal with it in the coming days, But I think I should probably return home today, I am rather missing my own bed."
"But I thought you were staying the week!" Narcissa exclaimed, "It's only been three nights." She pouted, watching the girl carefully.
"Don't you want to stay so you can ask some questions about what we just discussed?" Lucius asked, his voice still soft, his fingers curling around his eating utensils.
"No thank you, I think we understand each other quite well." She said stiffly, placing her utensils down delicately and wiping her mouth. Both the Malfoys were watching her closely, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Cassiopeia, I know we have never been very close as it were, but you are family and as such we, I, care about your future and your well being. If this Gambol boy is pressuring you…"
"He isn't pressuring me at all." Cassiopeia snapped, interrupted her uncle Lucius. He sat back in his chair, his lips pursed. "The boy that you and the Tonks so readily vilify exists only in your heads. Glynn is a kind and loving boyfriend, who always has my best interests at heart. Something I am beginning to doubt anyone else has."
"So the Tonks also have questioned him." Narcissa was sharp to pick up on the wrong point of the sentence.
"They hold the opinion that he is a bad influence on me." She mumbled, "But I don't see how. Since we've started dating my marks have gone up significantly. I am almost the top of my class, and I am the best at charms, transfiguration, and defence against the dark arts. And with Professor Quirrell taking a sabbatical this year, ive got more time to focus on subjects I need for my O.W.L.S. this year."
"And if I ask Professor Snape about your progress he would agree?" Lucius's eyes were glittering dangerously as he stared down his niece.
Cassiopeia's face flushed, "Professor Snape has never liked me nor Glynn. He's been positively rotten to Glynn, and he has an issue with anyone who tried to foster any inter-house relationships. He is obviously going to be biased against anything I do."
She stood up abruptly, "Now if you really are done with your pointless interrogation. I think I should take my leave." She stormed out of the dining room to gather her things, fuming.
The Malfoys watched her go silently, Narcissa with concern in her eyes and Lucius with a cold, calculating glint.
Xxx
Cassiopeia did not go back to the Tonks household as she led the Malfoys to believe. The Tonks knew she was going to be gone for the better part of the week, and she didn't want to go back to the stifling environment of their household. So she went to the one other place that she felt welcome.
She went to the Gambol household.
Glynn was overjoyed that she had chosen to stay with them for a few days, immediately opening up his bedroom to her.
Cassiopeia had shared beds with people before, mainly when she had been in various group homes when she was younger, but she had never shared a bed with a boy she was involved with before. She had also never been in a place with so much freedom before. The Gambols were completely unfazed by the fact that the couple were sharing a bed, and seemed completely comfortable with the many open affections Glynn rained on her. They left the kids to their own devices, with Mr Gambol spending most of his day at work and Mrs Gambol cleaning the house.
Mrs Gambol didn't speak much, but she seemed to always be cleaning or cooking or doing something around the house. She kept busy and out of the way, only giving Cassiopeia fleeting smiles when their paths crossed.
Though Cassiopeia spent very little time out of Glynn's room. The couple spent the first day mostly catching up, and reading books when they ran dry on conversation. Glynn vehemently denied everything Mr Malfoy had said about him, claiming he had asked for some advice and that was all. Cassiopeia wasn't sure what to believe but she kept her doubts to herself. She was staying with him and didn't particularly want to fight nor make him angry.
He kept his hands mostly to himself the first night, the couple cuddling but not much more. She had blushed deep crimson when she found that the boy slept in his briefs and nothing else, but not really having any other sleeping option let it pass.
The second night Glynn was a little more insistent, kissing her neck and rubbing against her suggestively, his hands wandering under her nightclothes.
The third night she submitted to him fully, Glynn had tried to be gentle, but as always he got a little carried away. It was nothing Cassiopeia couldn't handle however, and the pain had been worth it to make Glynn happy. And it wasn't all so bad, she enjoyed certain parts of the act, it was something she thought she could learn to get used to.
Finally it came to depart the Gambol household, back to the Tonks. She kissed her boyfriend eagerly that night, promising she would come back soon. All she had to do was tell the Tonks that she was staying with the Malfoys, and since the families were forbidden from talking to each other it was a rather easy ruse.
So she spent more and more time at the Gambol house, cozied up to her boyfriend in his room. Cassiopeia confided in him her fears about the upcoming school year, about everyone knowing who she really was. She told him how happy she was that he looked past her past, that he could see the other side of her and move on.
He hugged her to him, kissing the top of her head. "I guess it all makes sense now, a lot of things about you. How different you are from Nymphadora, why you are so good at duelling and have an interest in curses. It runs in your blood, your parents were fearsome duellists. I've done some reading and did you know it took nine aurors to take them in?"
Cassiopeia was uncomfortable when he spouted facts about her parents to her; she was uncomfortable with the amount of reading and research he seemed to have done. He was generally quite respectful with his questions, but sometimes he seemed to get carried away. She found his fascination a little disquieting.
"Don't worry, I still want to be with you, despite your heritage." He would always say, a sentiment she found a little discomforting. Despite her heritage? Like she was somehow less of a person because of her blood, but then, wasn't that just it? She was tainted, everything she did would always fall under the shadow of them.
During one such visit Glynn was particularly distant, he was quiet, lost in thought. Cassiopeia knew he was thinking about something deeply, something important as she had only seen him like that a few times. Her stomach curled unpleasantly as she tried to remain positive about his mood, the last time he had been like this he had discovered her interest in curses, and he had told her some of his darker interests. Her instincts were spot on when he started talking.
"Do you remember, when I mentioned my interest in the imperius curse?" his voice was quiet and she had to strain to hear him.
She nodded uncertainly, looking up from her reading. Glynn was lying on his bed, the book she had gotten him for his birthday open on his stomach as he stared up at the ceiling.
"You said you had some knowledge of it, from during the war." He started. The nausea doubled and she felt her heart pounding in her ears.
"I was just thinking, well, do you trust me Cassiopeia?" he was looking at her now, his face serious, and his gaze intense.
"Of course." She answered automatically, her insides clenching, and a small cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. She did not like where this conversation was headed.
"When you started making cursed objects you said you learned more than you ever could have just from reading," he continued, staring at her carefully. She was finding it hard to breathe.
"I—well I am of age now you know, the trace is no longer effective. And, with your permission, I think I would like to see how this spell works. For purely academic reasons of course, I want to understand the effects, so I can recognise the signs if I ever see it in other people. We live in a crazy world, with darkness lurking just below the surface, I want to be prepared."
Her breathing hitched as she understood the request.
"How would casting the curse help you understand the symptoms?"
She thought it was a reasonable question, but Glynn seemed to think otherwise. His face darkened and a sneer started to form on his face, "because reading about it isn't the same as seeing it first hand." He snapped, his voice dripping in condescension.
Cassiopeia swallowed thickly, trying to find another meaning in his words, hoping he wasn't asking what she thought he was.
"I need to experience it to understand. And I need your help. Are you going to be selfish about this? I helped you with your curses, and never questioned anything you've ever done, despite it being highly questionable. Are you really going to be a little bint about this? Don't you trust me? Don't you love me?"
Cassiopeia was taken aback, feeling as though he had slapped her across the face. He might as well have given the effect of his words. Of course she loved him, and she definitely trusted him, so she swallowed her reservations and steeled herself. Of all the unforgivables, the imperius curse was potentially the least damaging of them, with little risk of long term consequences. Other than a lifetime in prison for casting it that was. And of course the cases where it broke the mind of the witch or wizard under the curse is done improperly.
But she didn't really have a choice did she? Glynn had helped her with her cursed object, so with a small nod, she acquiesced, "Of course." She licked her lips and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heartbeat.
She suspected she had been under this curse once, years ago in the Lestrange Manor, whilst she was sneaking around looking for food. But that had been cast by one of the most powerful wizards alive. So masterful was it that she had no idea that she was actually under a curse, and she certainly didn't remember the exact moment she fell under it.
Glynn grinned, leaned forward to give her a quick kiss, before reaching over to grab his wand off the table.
"You want to do it now?" she squeaked with alarm. She had hoped he would at least wait a little bit; maybe do a little more research.
"Of course now! No time like the present." He said, his eyes brimming with excitement, his gaze heated.
"But your mom…" she trailed off, trying to desperately come up with a valid reason as to why he couldn't possibly cast it now.
He waved off her concern, "mother knows better than to interfere, and she certainly won't tell the ministry anything, father makes sure of that." Something about the way he said it sent chills down her spine. Her nausea returned in full force, her felt cold and hot at the same time, and her heart was in her throat.
"Besides, you've already been under this curse. You know what to expect." He continued, seemingly oblivious to her anxiety.
"Yes, but Glynn, you don't understand. I am not sure it was actually the imperius or something else. It was all so long ago, and it happened so quickly." Her voice was low, filled with every bit of anxiety she was feeling.
"You'll be fine, I've read this book forwards and backwards, I think I understand," and without warning, he pointed his wand directly between her eyes and murmured "imperio"
Cassiopeia didn't have time to flinch or to take any evasive action so quick was he to the draw.
She felt light and her anxiety melted away. It was a rather pleasant sensation, and she forgot why she had been so angry with the boy.
Stand up a voice whispered in her ear.
Well that seemed like a great idea, she stood up abruptly, happy with her decision.
Walk over to me, the voice whispered again.
Odd, but why not? She walked over to the boy she distantly remembered was her boyfriend.
Kiss me
Well he was rather good looking, with big beautiful eyes. She leaned forward and gave him a quick chaste kiss.
Like you mean it. Kiss me like you mean it.
She leaned forward and gave him a deeper kiss.
Run your fingers through my hair
She obliged, grasping his head and pulling him closer.
Need me more than you need air.
She crawled on top of him, attacking him with her lips, pulling at his skin with her lips, sucking and biting with abandon. She stopped breathing.
Glynn's arms wrapped around her, pulling their bodies even closer, closing his eyes as the power of the curse and her want washed over him, it was intoxicating. His hands went under her shirt, his fingers digging into her skin painfully.
Cassiopeia never stopped in her ministrations, but the pain broke through her haze a little. She frowned as she felt the sharp pain as his fingernails break her flesh.
The delightful sensation was beginning to dim as her chest started to burn and her head started to pound. She didn't like this anymore, and yet she couldn't stop.
She hissed, or at least tried to, when the sharp pinpricks dragged down her back as Glynn pulled her even tighter against him, but she found she had no breath to release, her chest felt so empty, it was on fire. She could feel her heart beating in her ears, and she began to jerk, trying desperately to pull in some type of air.
But she couldn't stop kissing him, she needed him so much, it seemed far more important to continue what she was doing than it was to listen to her lungs.
Her vision began to darken and tears started to leak out of her eyes. The pain became all encompassing and her movements began to slow, she felt sluggish.
This was wrong, she thought desperately. She tried to remember why she was doing this, but she couldn't stop. She focussed on the pain, on her body screaming demands, tried to breathe but she couldn't unlatch her lips from the boys skin.
She slumped forward against him, her head swimming and her lungs burning, crying as she used the last of her energy to keep kissing him.
"Cassiopeia." Glynn groaned, "don't stop." He commanded.
She tried to continue her assault on him but her body wasn't working.
"Cassiopeia." He moaned in frustration, "I said—Merlin you're turning blue." The boy pushed her off him, she tried to resist, she tried to stay latched to him, but she was so weak. Her eyes fluttered, everything was getting blurry.
"Bloody—breathe Cassiopeia, breathe!" Glynn cursed as he tried to break the curse, finally with a hasty "finite incantem" he managed to undo it.
Cassiopeia gasped for breath, greedily sucking in the air. She clutched Glynn's shoulder out of reflex, looking for anything to steady her shaking body. She closed her eyes to block out the pain of the pounding in her head, and she coughed violently, her lungs sore from their lack of use. She tried to process all the feelings that were flooding back, no longer dulled from the curse. Along with the pain of not taking in air, she felt the stings on her body where Glynn had gotten carried away, she could feel the bruises already starting to form on her arms and her waist, no doubt following the pattern of his finger prints. She cried when she remembered his commands and tried to push him away, but found she had very little strength in her oxygen starved body.
"Cassiopeia! Are you Ok?" the boy asked, his voice panicked as his hands roved over her, trying to reassure himself that she was actually breathing.
She gasped, crying out in frustration and anger as she tried to slap his hands away. She needed space from him, she felt tainted, her blood thrummed in her body and a terrified anxiety overtook her senses. She needed to get away from him, she wanted to run, go somewhere far away. She wanted to take a boiling hot shower, she wanted to burn her the taint off, to scrub away all of her the impurities she felt. More than anything she wanted to hurt Glynn, she wanted to end him.
With a strangled cry she finally found the strength to crawl out from underneath him, and with a resounding crack she slapped him with all of her remaining strength across the face. It was not as strong of a slap as she would have hoped for, but it was enough to stun the boy into silence and stillness. Taking the opportunity she grabbed her wand off the bedside table and ran for his bedroom door, tears blurring her vision and sobs wracking her body.
She ran down the stairs, intending to get to the fireplace so she could floo away, she wanted to be anywhere but in that house when she was stopped cold by the sight of Mrs Gambol, her long sleeves, normally so fastidiously kept firmly against her wrist, were rolled up as she had her hands stuck into a large pile of dishes in the sink.
Mrs Gambol looked up with a start, her face pale and alarmed as she took in the sobbing form of girl in front of her. Mrs Gambol made no move to comfort her, or even say anything, she just stared, her eyes wide and afraid, glancing between her and the stairs, where they both could hear Glynn cursing her name. He was angry, angrier than she had ever heard him.
"Cassiopeia!" he roared, a loud thump echoing across the house. "Get back here now! How dare you hit me!" he threw something else, the clinking of breaking glass accompanying this thump.
Cassiopeia's heart was racing and her head was still pounding, and yet she couldn't move. She stared at Mrs Gambol, at her arms in particular. The pale skin was mottled in black and blue bruises, all in the shape of various hand prints. Now that she looked, she would see the very tips of bruises peaking out from under her collar. Her hands were shaking and she seemed genuinely terrified of the tantrum her son was throwing.
Cassiopeia felt sick and she was disgusted both by the sight in front of her and with herself. Why hadn't she seen it sooner? She swallowed thickly, still staring at the bruises, she felt the same type of bruises forming on her skin, she felt the sting of the cut on her back and side from where Glynn had gotten carried away.
"Cassiopeia Lestrange!" Glynn roared from the top of the stairs, his eyes ablaze with fury. "You will come back here now. You are over reacting and if you would let me explain…"
Anger surged through her as she stared at the boy. How dare he, she thought bitterly, how dare he use her name like that.
"No." her voice was hoarse, shaking in her anger. "Sod off you prick."
She turned, trying to make it to the fireplace; she started to run as she heard Glynn give chase.
She made it just in time, grabbing a handful of the powder, far more than was necessary and jumped into the roaring flames. Glynn was so close, his hand reaching into the fire to grab her, his face transformed with rage and terror, the last thing she heard was his voice echoing off walls of his house, "You bitch!"
She didn't know why she chose her destination; it had been the first thing on her mind. She didn't want to go home, to face the ghost of her mothers face, not when she was so unhinged, not when her normally so carefully controlled feelings were running wild. She didn't think she could handle the concern and love on a face that was so very much like her mothers. It was cruel illusion that she thought would unravel what little thread connected her to sanity.
So with an explosion of flames she was spit out of the Malfoys fire place, she collapsed, sobbing and curling into a little ball. Narcissa's face shining in concern and alarm was the last thing she saw before she finally gave into the pounding in her head and the encroaching darkness.
Xxx
She woke up in a soft bed with someone running their fingers through her hair. She felt heavy, stiff, and exhausted. Even opening her eyes took a larger effort than she ever could've realised.
What had happened, where was she? She tried to remember what she was doing before her impromptu nap. The memories came flooding back, adrenaline raced through her system as she tried to sit upright, looking around for threats, her hand already reaching for her wand, ready to fight if need be.
It wasn't Glynn's face that greeted her but instead that of her Aunt Narcissa. Her eyes were soft and a small frown graced her face, her brow wrinkled in concern.
Cassiopeia relaxed slightly, letting the panic pass into a tired sort of sadness. She sniffed loudly, her chest shivering with the beginning of sobs. She felt dirty and ashamed as she remembered what had happened with Glynn. She had been so powerless against his curse, he had said to trust him, and when she did, he used that trust to use her like an object. He had lied, and she wondered what else he had lied about.
Narcissa shushed the girl, gently pushing her back into the pillows, apparently unconcerned as Cassiopeia burst into tears, curling into a ball in the bed, wincing in pain as her body protested.
Narcissa didn't leave her side as Cassiopeia cried herself into a fitful sleep, exhaustion finally winning over her grief.
The next time she woke Narcissa was gone, and in her place was a small plate of food. She sat up, feeling less sore, and gratefully tucked into the dinner. After eating she took a much needed bath, the water was so hot it scalded her skin, her lip trembled as she felt the water sear the cuts Glynn had left on her skin. She scrubbed her body viciously, taking her anger out with the sponge until her pale skin was bright red and angry. After that she just sat in the too hot water, staring off into space, lost in thought.
She had left all of her stuff at Glynn's house, only thinking to grab her wand. She wondered if she would ever see any of it again. She went over her relationship with him, trying to find out when she had become so foolish, so blind to everything that he was doing to her. She felt numb, mentally cataloguing every word, every abuse she had suffered, and every justification she gave.
Was any of it real? She had thought that Glynn was the only person to love her for whom she was. He didn't know her past or her baggage; he had judged her based on her. He felt no pity towards her, no obligation like everyone else in her life. And yet he had used her, manipulated her, turned her into a weapon.
She submerged herself completely in the bath, numb to the unbearable heat, and held her breath. She hated him, she wanted to hurt him the way he hurt her, and yet some small part of her loved him.
She felt the water go up her nose, it dulled the sound to her ears and burned her skin. She focused on these sensations, used it to centre herself. Her parents had used her as well, her mother turned her into a weapon and her father used her to curry favour with the Dark Lord. Did she intentionally seek out such relationships she wondered? Did she deserve it?
She blew the air out of her nose and surfaced, taking cool gulps of air.
She had almost died. Distantly she understood this, and it didn't bother her as much as she thought it would have. He had made her want him more than air; she shivered at the memory, at the sensation, feeling slightly nauseous at the thought. She wondered what would have happened if she died. Would people be upset, or would they be relieved?
The Malfoys could move on from their guilt over not helping her as a child. The Tonks would be relieved of their burden of care for her. Her head of house would have his evenings back, he wouldn't have to watch her so closely, or administer detentions if she were dead. The Weasleys might be sad, or they might consider it justice for her attacking their son.
And how stupid that had been, how easily she had been turned against the one person who stopped to help her at her lowest point. Dora was right, she was a despicable person, she closed her eyes tight, a few tears falling as she ached deeply. It had been a few days since she last took any of her potions, and she felt the unsettling energy thrumming under her skin as the withdrawals started to set in.
Glynn had always tried to make his potion supply seem like something he was doing out of love, but now she saw it for what it truly was. He was using it to control her. She always feared angering him because it meant he would take away her only supply. He always held it over her, always brought up whenever they argued; making it out to be a great service he did for her.
She went under the water again, relishing the burn. She had a few doses squirreled away in her room at the Tonks household, half filled vials that she had saved when she was trying to cut her dosages over the breaks. She was relieved she had the foresight to not throw away the unneeded potion, wondering grimly if some part of her knew then, what he was doing.
Anger simmered under her skin, of course everyone else knew, they could see. She had lost her two only real friends to Glynn, her first friends at Hogwarts. Everyone had tried to warn her, Nymphadora, Andromeda, Ted, the Malfoys, and even bloody Snape now that she thought of it. They all had seen what she couldn't.
She took another deep breath of air as she surfaced, her face twisted with self-hatred. She had been a burden to everyone, she always has been. She was a burden to her parents, a burden to the Weasleys, a burden to the Tonks, to her House, to the school, and to the Malfoys. What was the point anymore? Why continue being so selfish, she just wanted to go away, far away from anyone who had ever known her. She was tired to pretending, tired to being a burden, tired of being judged, and tired of hiding. She wondered if it would've have been better for everyone if they had locked her up in Azkaban all those years ago. Put her in a cell right next to her mother. Saved everyone the hassle of dealing with her now.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her reverie. "Cassiopeia dear?" her aunts voice rung throughout the bathroom, "would you like to join us for tea?" she was gentle.
Cassiopeia scowled, she would rather burying herself under some covers and forget everything.
"Please?"
Her face twisted unpleasantly. She owed it to the Malfoys she supposed, to at least give them an explanation for her sudden appearance and demeanour. She sighed, closing her eyes, trying to find some inner strength. The sooner she went, the sooner it would be over. She dimly wondered if the Tonks even knew where she was? And how much time had already passed since she had arrived. She should probably write them.
"In a moment." She called lowly, reluctantly picking herself out of the bathtub.
She wandered down to the sitting room slowly, mentally preparing a speech in her head to explain her sudden appearance. She rehearsed it over and over again, trying to hide the tears that burned behind her eyes. She was stronger than that; she wouldn't let Glynn have any power over her, including the power to make her cry.
It was a nice sentiment, easy to say, harder to follow. But it helped, a little.
Her speech was not necessary she quickly found out when she entered the sitting room. Narcissa looked furious, her face drawn and her lips pressed into a tight line, clutching her teacup tightly. Narcissa's fury was dwarfed however by the cold rage on Lucius's face. He looked fearsome, every inch of the death eater Cassiopeia remembered, he looked like a man who was about to kill. He stared into the fire, clutching a glass of amber liquid, forgoing the tea altogether. Cassiopeia swallowed, taking in the singe marks that were still present in the living room, evidence of the plume of flames she had arrived in.
"Er, if this is about you fireplace, I am so sorry, I can pay for the damage." She said nervously, hovering near the doorway. Both occupants startled, turning their gazes to her.
"Sod the fireplace," Lucius waved dismissively, his voice sharp with rage. "That Gambol boy however." He snarled, baring his teeth at the thought. Cassiopeia's heart dropped, and she numbly took a seat.
"Not my boy anymore." Her voice was small, quiet as grabbed a biscuit to nibble on. She scowled at her shaking hands and focussed on steading them.
"I should hope not." Narcissa's voice was waspish, looking fierce, "The nerve of him," she took another sip of tea, trying to master her anger into something productive.
"So you know then." She bowed her head, placing her biscuit delicately on a plate.
"The whole of bloody London knows." Lucius snapped
That caught her attention; her head snapped up in alarm, "what do you mean the whole of bloody London." Her felt the restlessness clawing at her chest, and chills were breaking out across her body. She felt cold, and dread settled deep in her belly.
"The whole of British wizarding society by now dear," Narcissa interjected, glaring at her tea cup as if it had murdered her family. Lucius scoffed before turning back to the fire.
"It seems after your fight with Gambol, he rushed off to tell his father, who then decided to very publicly air your dirty laundry to everyone he could at the ministry. How horrified his boy had been when he discovered your true parentage, how you are a violent witch who is always fighting with fellow students, and how you had a distinct lack of morals, lying to your family about where you've been and spending time with him, alone, for days on end. That's just the short of it."
Cassiopeia's heart froze. Glynn was getting ahead of the story, telling the story in a way that made him look like the victim. Anger began to fill her, before being replaced by cold fear. Glynn knew things, things that could get her expelled. Things that could get her arrested.
"He didn't mention anything about curses did he?" she asked urgently, already thinking of the best way to dispose of the evidence that was hiding in her trunk.
Lucius's eyes narrowed on her suspiciously, "not that I recall, should he have?" his voice was dangerous, "if there is anything you wish to -ah- dispose of, this is the time to inform me." He hissed.
Of course, he wouldn't risk it. He knew things, but so did she. Creating cursed objects was illegal; punishable with some prison time perhaps, certainly enough to warrant expulsion from Hogwarts, but casting an unforgivable was a life sentence. She could survive the consequences of her crime, but he wouldn't be able to survive his.
She twitched her head, deep in thought, wondering how much she should tell the Malfoys. A sudden thought struck her, "wait, he mentioned how I was staying with him? Does Ted know?"
If possible Lucius's face darkened even farther, "that filthy—" he was interrupted by a small cough from his wife who looked pointedly at Cassiopeia, Lucius swallowed the slur reluctantly, "man came up to me in a rage, demanding I tell him where his daughter was. That fool, as if he could hope to create a witch of your calibre—"
He was interrupted again, this time by Cassiopeia, "He did. He made Nymphadora, a metamorphmagus and a bloody quick duellist." Her voice was sharp. She never did take kindly to the Malfoy's magical supremacist views when it came to Ted.
Lucius scowled darkly, muttering under his breath, but continued in a forced civility. "They know and want you to go back. I told him in no uncertain terms that you had chosen to come to us in your time of need and we will be the ones to fix this situation. As if he could even hope to combat the Gambol's." he spat hatefully. She could see the gears in his head spinning as he plotted his revenge against this slight against the family name.
"Don't put yourself out too much Uncle." She said softly, sighing in resignation. "No matter what you say there will always be those who believe him, simply because I am who I am."
"This will not stand." His voice was harsh, "he will suffer for even daring—"
Cassiopeia waved him off. She was so tired, and she desperately needed a potion. She just wanted to sleep, let Glynn have his tall tale. She knew what really happened, she knew his true face, and she knew the one thing that would put him in prison. She held all the leverage, and though she wanted to punch him in the face, she did not want to damn him to prison. Not unless she had to.
"Do what you must Uncle, pulled whatever political strings you need to in order to make his life difficult. But know that you are doing this for yourself, and not for me. I just want to go to my own bed and sleep for the rest of summer."
Tea passed in a tense silence, everyone stewing in their own dark thoughts. When the time came she said her goodbyes, thanked them for their hospitality, and flooed to the Tonks household.
Ted was at work when she arrived, and Nymphadora was staying with friends. Andromeda was waiting for her, sitting in the living room, her own cup of tea in hand, watching the fireplace.
When Cassiopeia arrived she set aside the teacup and silently stood, embracing the girl in a long hug. Her instinct was to pull away from the embrace, but the emotional strain of the last few days had taken their toll. She was alone with her aunt, away from the prying eyes of the world, so she closed her eyes and let the tears fall.
She clutched at Andromeda and cried, she cried for her loss, she cried in anger, and most of all she cried in shame. Shame for her relationship, for falling prey to the likes of Glynn, and shame because as she cried in her aunts arms, as she accepted this woman's comfort, she pretended that it was her mother, her real mother, comforting her as a mother should. She imagined her voice, softly cooing in her ear in comfort, as she had done when she was comforting her after a punishment. Andromeda whispered words of encouragement as she tried to assuage her fears, her emotions, and Cassiopeia pretended it was her, Bellatrix, helping her.
A darker part of her, a part that she kept buried even in her darkest moments, wished quietly that she still had her real mother, because Bellatrix Lestrange could certainly make the boy pay, and she would do it happily, simply because he had upset her daughter.
Xxx
A/N The story gets darker and darker. But she finally see's what type of person she was with, just maybe a little too late. A thing i really wanted to do with a character like Glynn is explore how some people who have suffered abuse seem to find abusers in their relationships. Cassiopeia was drawn to Glynn because he was nice to her, and he said all the right things at all the right times. Glynn was drawn to Cassiopeia because he sensed she was someone he could take advantage of, someone he could lord his power over, someone he could control. He poisoned her mind by laying doubt, by alienating and isolating her and by controlling a substance she is hopelessly addicted to. He made himself the center of her whole world, a person she worshipped and saw no evil in. And then he finally goes too far, and the illusion is shattered in a tragic way.
Cassiopeia is adrift now, the whole world knows who she is, and they have gossip to latch onto that satisfies their expectations for the daughter of mass murderers. Her support, what little there is, she doesnt rely on because she doesnt truly trust that anyone likes her, let alone loves her. She needs a therapist, badly.
hope you enjoy, and comments/ suggestions/ typos/ critiques are welcome.