A.N. - Sorry, I was in a hurry to post last chapter and forgot to include (1) Praetextum – pretext, cloak. (2) Obsero- lock.

Also, I put up a new poll on my profile. So, check it out and vote. If you choose Other, please tell me who your other choice would be and I'll put the results up with each chapter.

Chapter Seven

Cassian, not in a good mood, glared ahead of him and Harry wisely kept silent. They were leaving their appointment with the mediwitch Madam Pomfrey. The woman had asked hi about his eating habits then gave him nutrient potions to drink. They tasted horrid! As horrible as he remembered them being. Markale used to make him drink them all the time. He remembered thinking about refusing to drink them, but one look at Markale's expression and he knew the man would force feed him the potions.

When Cassian told the mediwitch he didn't really like food and only ate it to shut his stomach up. If he didn't eat he'd die and Cassian was very much for living. The woman had frowned and gave him the nutrient potions to take. She also made him take some bottles for his meals for the weekend. He was to drink a potion before every meal. Ugh, if he didn't like food before, he was sure he'd hate it now.

To top it all off, she was going to talk to Snape about his nutritional problem since not only was he Cassian's Head of House, but a Potions Master. The man helped make and stock the potions, balms, and ointments in the Hospital Wing.

Frowning as he crossed the courtyard his ear picked up the word Mudblood. Cassian knowing the owner of the voice, angrily strode over to where Draco was smirking and hauled back and hit him. Draco went down in surprise and found a wand pointed at his face. Oblivious to everyone else, Cassian's cold eyes stared at Draco. In a voice just as cold he stated, "Do not, I repeat do not ever use that vile word again."

"What do you care?" Draco angrily demanded getting over his shock a little.

"My mother was Muggleborn. When you use that word you're insulting my mother. I will not allow anyone to insult my mother. Not even you, Draco."

Draco swallowed hard. Luckily Cassian didn't demand an apology because Draco wouldn't have been able to give one. Cassian re-sheathed his wand and strode away ignoring everyone's stares and their whispers. He decided he was going to spend most of his day outside hiding from everyone if he could. Before that though, he wanted to get his journal. To do that he had to go down to the dungeons.

Halfway down a corridor however, an older boy ran into him and blamed Cassian. Cassian muttered a "Sorry," even though he really wasn't, knowing the boy had done it on purpose. He and Harry knew this would be coming eventually. They knew it form the moment his name was announced at the Sorting and the reaction it received. There would be some who would blame Cassian for what Markale had done and try to humiliate and hurt him in a misguided way to avenge their loved ones.

"You're not sorry yet, but I'll make you. Impedimentia!"

Acting on instinct born from experience, Cassian hurled himself to the side and was just missed by the spell. Golden-green eyes narrowing in annoyance and cold anger he pulled out his own wand. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Cassian thought it best if he used lower level spells so as not to draw attention to the fact that he knew higher class spells he shouldn't. Unfortunately, his opponent seemed to really want to hurt Cassian. He easily side-stepped the first year spell and sent a curse Cassian's way.

The twelve year old was able to dodge most of it but still felt something cut his cheek. Reaching up, Cassian's fingers came away bloody. His eyes narrowed as he breathed quicker. When his cold eyes met those of the teenager's they were not seeing him or the school. In Cassian's mind he was back in the snow on Ashwood grounds face to face with the person who planted the seeds of hatred in him.

Voice emotionless Cassian sent a severing hex at the teen. The Gryffindore had raised his wand calling up a shielding charm just in time. Cassian did not let up his attack, calling other hexes and curses. By now the halls were crowding. Most stayed to watch the duel seeing who the combatants were. Some, the smarter ones, ran to get a teacher and away from the spells being flung around. The ones that stayed cheered for the Gryffindore. Neither boy heard them though. Both locked exclusively on the other.

Harry, not able to get through to Cassian feared for the other boy's safety and Cassian's mind. Doing the only thing he could think of, Harry ran to Dumbledore's office. He ignored Snape and the Headmaster knowing it'd be futile if he tried to get their attention. Instead, he aimed at Fawkes. He let out a sigh of relief when the phoenix disappeared in a flash of fire. The two men startled and just stared before Dumbledore quickly leapt up and followed the bird.

Just as a red light came out of Cassian's wand as he coldly sent a stunner at the Gryffindore, Professor Snape and Dumbledore showed up. Since the teen fell stunned unconscious to the floor, Cassian turned his wand at what he perceived as a threat.

"Ashwood," Snape demanded. "What is the meaning of this?" the boy quickly turned his wand form the teen to him.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape cried before Cassian could open his mouth. The boy's wand flew out of his hand and into Snape's. The man coldly looked down at the boy but was unnerved to see those mostly golden eyes were empty and void of any feeling. Fawkes perched on the boy's shoulder which seemed to have a calming effect.

"Cassian," Professor Dumbledore spoke softly while Snape yelled at the other students to get moving or he'd put the whole lot in detention and start deducting House points.

"I must ask why you did this." Dumbledore watched as the boy's eyes slowly regained their normal color and took on life and became guarded. Many different answers flittered across Cassian's mind before he settled on silence and a noncommittal shrug before looking away.

Snape frowned and pointed his wand toward the stunned teenager. "Enervate."

The fifth year got up glaring at Cassian and exclaimed, "Professors! He attacked me for no reason!"

All three expected Cassian to deny the accusation but he didn't. He remained silent but his eyes flashed briefly. The Gryffindore smirked victoriously which was quickly dashed off his face by Dumbledore's next words.

"You both know it is against school rules to use magic in the halls. Turning it against a fellow student is strictly forbidden. If either of you does so again, I will be forced to expel you both."

The Gryffindore's jaw dropped then snapped angrily shut. Cassian managed a stiff, "Yes, sir."

"One hundred points will be taken from each of your houses." Snape and the teen winced at that. "You will each also get a detention and I will be writing to your families."

Cassian's eye twitched and for the briefest moment a look of absolute hatred was evident on his face before he quickly blanked his face. Cold anger still simmered in his eyes though. Not even Fawkes could rid the boy of the emotion.

"May I have my wand back, sir?"

Severus debated whether or not to give it back right away and decided against it. Dumbledore seeing the look the man was giving his student turned to the teenager. " I believe we need to have a word with Professor McGonagall."

The teen paled and followed the headmaster but not before shooting a resentful glare at Cassian.

"Follow me, Ashwood."

Fawkes disappeared in another flash of fire and Cassian obediently followed Snape to the dungeons. Once inside Snape's office, the man demanded, "What actually happened? Ashwood? I don't believe a Second year would attack a Fifth year unprovoked or not, even if he is from Gryf-

findore."

"I didn't attack him. He attacked me."

"Why?"

Cassian stared at the man. "He's a Gryffindore, I'm a Slytherin. I carry the Ashwood name. That's reason enough for some."

Snape eyed the boy and then handed him his wand back. "Your detention will be served with me tonight at eight o'clock."

"Yes, sir.

Snape's eyes went to the door as he nodded at it. "Dismissed."

"Yes, sir." He walked out of the office, his professor frowning after him. Cassian leaned against the stone wall and let out a groan. Harry tentively tried to joke, "Well, that's gotta be a record. Detention, a hundred points, and breaking two school rules. All in the first week!"

"Shut up, Harry." Cassian glared and Harry swallowed and sighed. He knew what that look and stare meant. Shoving off the wall, Cassian went to the Slytherin Common Room, into his dormitory and grabbed his journal. He bypassed the Great Hall and went outside. He walked the grounds slowly, taking his time, trying to calm himself. Harry worrying followed him.

Cassian ended up sitting by the Black Lake. Taking out his sketch pad and a charcoal pencil, began to work. When he got bored, he pulled out his pens and colored pencils and switched notebooks.

"What do you think?"

Harry cocked his head this way and that, then pointed to a spot, and remarked, "I think it needs to be red here."

"No, you know I hate red."

Harry pouted. "But I like red."

Harry knew exactly why Cassian hated red, but Harry liked the color. Red came in so many different shades, not just the one that Cassian loathed.

"Besides," he pointed out, "The color scheme just wouldn't look right without red."

He watched Cassian's mental argument against himself as he scowled at the drawing. For a moment, Harry was sure he was going to either crumple the drawing or tear it up. Glaring at Harry who just smiled back at him, grumbled out a, "Fine."

Mentally cheering, Harry grinned at him. Then looking around he waved before realizing the giant wouldn't be able to see him.

"Cass. Hagrid's coming."

Looking up from the nearly done sketch, Cassian blinked rapidly before narrowing his eyes. He'd forgotten his sunglasses in his hurry to get away from everyone. Stuffing his things in his bag, he stood, one hand shielding his eyes.

Hagrid invited the boy to tea, then told him the whole school was talking about him.

"Great," he muttered.

"Nobody blames yeh. Yeh was jus defendin yerself. Jus not many Second years coulda done wot yeh did."

Cassian remained quiet while Harry excitedly explored the giant's hut. Then checking the time, Cassian thanked Hagrid for the tea and left. On the walk back to the castle, he pulled out a bottle and downed the contents. Harry laughed at the expression on his face as Cassian shuddered. "Shut up."

Going into the Great Hall he took his usual spot at the end and braced himself for whatever treatment they decided to dish out. He was immediately surrounded by Slytherins but Cassian was shocked when he was bombarded with questions, compliments, and congratulations. Confused and claustrophobic, he turned to ask what was going on. Daphne, being nearest, explained that the Slytherins didn't mind losing a hundred points since Gryffindore did as well. To top it all was that a Second year Slytherin beat a Fifth year Gryffindore. The Gryffindore was being shunned by most of his house mates for starting a fight with a twelve year old.

Cassian was silent as he ate. Picking up on the underlying fear and respect of his house mates.

Setting his fork down, he got up and quickly went to his dormitory. He pulled the drapes so he wouldn't have to talk to anyone when they came in. He didn't bother changing since he had no idea what his detention would entail.

Opening his journal he fingered the worn emerald envelope. He traced the inked words in Caligraphy on the front. A bitter smile crossed his mouth as he gazed at his mother's handwriting.

It had come to him last year on his eleventh birthday. There had been a slight popping noise, then something falling to the floor. It was an emerald green envelope with white ink written on the front. On the back was a white wax seal with the impression of a lilly. After he gently broke the seal and removed the sheafs of paper, he read only a few lines before they fell from his nerveless fingers. The letter had been written and addressed to him from his mother.

Looking at the time, Cassian secured the journal in his drawer and headed for Snape's office.

He wondered what the man could have thought u p to punish him with. Probably something horrible for losing a hundred points. Letting his breath out, he knocked on the Potion Master's office door.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Looking up from grading papers, Severus frowned at the boy scrubbing at one of the cauldrons used by the Sixth year N.E.W.T. Students. Madam Pomphrey had informed him of Cassian's dietary problem. Apparently, Dumbedore had noticed the boy barely eat enough even for a tiny animal.

"Professor?"

"What is it Ashwood?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't get this residue off. At least not without something stronger and soaking maybe?"

The man frowned, realizing this was the first he'd heard the boy speak during the entire detention. Most students grumbled and muttered. Cassian, after finding out what he had to do, just put his dragonhide gloves on and got to work. There was no complaints about not using magic, how unfair it was, or how he'd never be able to get it all done. Nothing.

Not for the first time, Severus wondered just how Markale Ashwood had raised his son.

"It's fine, You can go."

"Yes, sir."

Suddenly the boy stiffened and whipped around, looking all around warily.

"Ashwood?"

"Huh?" The boy looked over at him as if distracted. Slowly the boy actually looked at him, eyes guarded.

"What happened?"

Cassian kept silent before blinking and replying, "Nothing, sir."

Staring at the professors's narrowed eyes, he knew Snape knew he was lying. Yet, what was he supposed to tell him? He and Harry heard a voice that creeped them out? They heard a voice saying, it wanted to kill and rip someone to shreds?

"I'm really tired, sir," Cassian spoke a half truth. "May I go?"

Snape looked ready to deny his request but then waved him away. "Go."

"Thank you sir."

As soon as they were out the door, Cassian leaned against the wall. "Snape didn't hear the voice."

"Apparently not."

"Then why did we?" All he got in response was a shrug from Harry.

Returning to their room, Cassian changed for bed. When he eventually fell asleep it was to dream of his mother and the flash of green light. The sharp pain in his head dulled to a throbbing as he got up and slipped his shoes on. Quietly he made his way to the Common Room and out into the dungeons.

Carefully, he made his way up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower. Leaning against the cool

stone, he hung his head in shame. He was disgusted with himself. Cassian both yearned and craved for the dream because it always started with him being held in his mother's arms. The dream was the only place he could go for that, but he could never stop the dream before it got to the green flash of the Killing Curse.

A noise made him go as still as possible. Looking around he saw Mrs. Norris. Those creepy orange eyes stared at him and he glared down at her, knowing Filch would soon show up. Cassian ran for it, jumping stairs to get down them quicker. Rounding a corner and down a hall, he skidded to a halt hearing rapidly approaching footfalls. Wildly looking around he tried the nearest door and slipped inside.

Heart pounding, Cassian listened intently and wasted no time after he heard Filch run past. As silently as he entered the room, he exited and made for the dungeons. Nearly getting caught twice by Snape, Cassian made it safely to the Common Room. Collapsing on a sofa to catch his breath and wait for his heart to quit trying to escape his chest, Cassian shut his eyes, a smile coming to his lips.

"That was fun."

Harry groaned. Cassian grinned at him , then laughed at his expression. "So we've traded Ralph baiting to what? Cat and mouse with Ms. Norris?"

Cassian's grin grew larger eyes lighting up. "That's a great idea!"

Harry groaned again. Letting out a long breath, adrenaline and excitement draining away, Cassian got up and went back to bed. He never noticed that one of his dorm mates was awake, or had been since the nightmare woke Cassian up.