Course aims taken directly from the Harry potter collection, books 1-7 on Kindle. Page 1985.

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER – JUST BORROWING

The rest of the day went well, boring but uneventful, at any rate. After lunch, she had Ancient Ruins, again with Hermione, whom she had to ignore, and Herbology. The greenhouses were magnificent. Professor Sprout had many more plants than she had back home. She was grateful for the opportunity to spend some time with her hands in the dirt. She missed growing things. She missed her animals too. Maybe she could talk to Professor Grubbly-Plank about helping out after class or something.

Dinner was a noisy affair. She was besieged with requests to find out what happened with her father after Potions class. So far, she had refused to answer. "Listen, I'm not taking no for an answer. What did Professor Snape want? Are you in trouble?" Pansy asked, looking a little concerned.

Cassi sighed. These people really have no idea what privacy is. "No, Pansy. I'm not in trouble. He wants to have tea after dinner and hear about my first day." Cassi said. When Pansy looked shocked, Cassi went on, "What's that face for? He is my father, after all. Why wouldn't he want to know how my day went?" Cassi asked, frowning a little.

At 8:30 that evening, Cassi found herself entering her father's quarters. He was in the sitting room, in his chair by the fire, reading the Evening Prophet. "Good evening, father," she said.

"Come, sit down," he said, not looking up from the Evening Prophet. She sat on the corner of the couch closest to him, wondering about his solution to her dilemma.

"I'd like to begin dueling practice with you, weekly if possible. Also, you will be helping me in the laboratory to stock the hospital wing with potions. You will also contact Madame Pomfrey and enquire about being her intern. If nothing else, it will be a good experience for you, and it will keep you out of trouble." He said, without looking up from his paper.

"I cannot remove you from your classes, even if you are more advanced than what they are teaching at the moment. But I can supplement your coursework. That will have to suffice for now." He finished.

"I know you have responsibilities outside of Hogwarts. Thank you for understanding and trying to help. I was planning on asking the other professors if they have any suggested reading. I was also thinking of going to Grubbly-Plank and asking if she needed help with the animals." Cassi said.

Her father looked thoughtfully at that last suggestion. "I would rather you spend time with Madame Pomfrey. However, if you have time to spare, that would be acceptable."

"When would we start dueling?" Cassi asked

"Possibly over the weekend. I have a detention to proctor tomorrow night. I expect you in the laboratory tomorrow, assisting me with potions for the hospital wing. I also expect to hear Madame Pomfrey's answer by then." He said, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, Sir," Cassi answered.

He waved his wand, causing a tea service to appear. She helped herself to a cup. She spent the rest of the time before curfew reading with her father and drinking tea. At 9 pm, he dismissed her, sending her back to the common room. Hopeful that the next day would bring more interesting and new experiences, she got herself ready for bed.

Cassi was in bed reading Advanced Transfiguration when the other girls came in.

"Where did you go?" Daphne asked. "I turned around, and you were gone," she said, frowning.

"My father wanted to have tea, remember? I'm sure Pansy told you." Cassi grimaced. "He laid out his expectations which include me having zero leisure time." She held up her book to show what she was referring to. "Also, tomorrow night, he 'requested'" Cassi pronounced this word sharply. "-assistance brewing potions for the hospital wing while he proctors a detention. I mean, it's the second day. How could he have assigned detention already? I don't suppose any of you want to join me tomorrow night to make it less like I'm stuck in detention too?" Cassi added, hopefully.

They all burst out laughing, and Cassi grimaced. "Don't misunderstand. We like you, truly. But your father is terrifying. So, no, thank you." Daphne said, looking truly sorry for Cassi.

Cassi finished the chapter she was reading and pulled out another book. Tomorrow at least was History of Magic and Transfiguration. She might be able to learn something new here. She doubted very much there would be review in History of Magic.

The next morning at breakfast, she was in halfway decent spirits. She sat there happily munching on her toast, a hot cup of tea in her hand. She wordlessly summoned some bacon when a tall boy appeared next to her. She recognized him as the 7th-year Slytherin prefect, Abel Jugson.

"You'll want to pay attention there, Snape. Magic is not to be used outside the classroom or in the corridors. Do not make me inform your father." He was trying hard to look stern. But for all his efforts, he looked like an oversized toddler. He had such a baby face.

"Of course. Jugson, is it? I'll do my best to 'pay attention' as you put it," Cassi said with a smirk. "Anything further?" she asked.

"No," he said, casting a glance at the staff table. "Be sure you don't lose points for this house, Snape. Your father will be quite displeased." Jugson said with a smirk of his own.

Cassi stood, "Trust me when I tell you, I know what displeases my father far better than you ever will." She said, her voice deadly. "Have a lovely morning, Jugson," she said, effectively dismissing him. Cassi turned her back on him and sat back down, finishing her bacon and toast. He stood there behind her for a moment, not saying a word. Then, turned and walked away.

Draco looked at her, "You ought to be more careful. You almost got detention. You may know your father, but we know Professor Snape. He wouldn't like you to get a detention. Trust me," he said with a knowing glance at Cassi.

"Thank you for looking out for me, Cousin. I knew I could count on you," Cassi said, laying her hand on his forearm. Draco blushed.

They caught up their school bags and went down to History of Magic. Some took out parchment and quills. Others looked like they were preparing to make themselves comfortable. Cassi was a member of the former. She sat there dutifully, prepared to take notes when a ghost came gliding through the chalkboard. Cassi's mouth fell open. She turned to Millicent and mouthed, 'what the hell.' Millicent broke out into a fit of silent giggles. Apparently, she found it very funny that Cassi had no idea there was a ghost teaching at the school.

History of Magic was an unqualified disaster. It was nearly impossible to concentrate with the monotone droning that Professor Binns was capable of. How in the world he made bloody, violent giant wars sound as interesting as watching paint dry, she'd never know. She would have to bring something to occupy her more fully next class. This was ridiculous. And, to top it all off, Professor Binns assigned a three-foot essay to be handed in next week. Not for the first time Cassi wondered if this was actually school or if she had died and ended up in purgatory.

She went up to the Hospital Wing during break to see Madame Pomfrey. She explained her dilemma and her ambition to become a healer. She explained that her father thought it was an excellent idea and endorsed it fully. Cassi also mentioned how she'd be helping her father replenish the stores for the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey said she had to confer with Professor Dumbledore, but she was confident it wouldn't be an issue.

Herbology was a lovely change. She loved digging in the dirt and making things grow. Of course, Professor Sprout began the class with a small lecture on the importance of O.W.L. exams. Cassi supposed all the teachers would begin this way. Cassi was just discussing the merits of using other types of fertilizer for more delicate plants because of the acidity of Dragon dung when the bell rang. Professor Sprout hurriedly assigned them an essay, one and a half feet due next week, as they all washed their hands quickly and caught up their bags.

Transfiguration class was much better. Professor McGonagall was teaching them to vanish objects. While Cassi already knew how to do this, it was challenging, and she could use the practice. She earned her house ten points when she vanished her snail on the first attempt. Cassi did notice that Transfiguration didn't seem as difficult with her new wand. She would keep her old wand, though, just in case she needed it. She was the only one not assigned homework, but Professor McGonagall did suggest she continue to practice as it would only get harder from there.

The rest of the day passed with no incident. It wasn't until dinner that she received word from her father what time she was supposed to meet him in the dungeons. A small note appeared next to her plate, saying, "Potions Laboratory, 7:30".

"Is that from your father, again?" Draco asked curiously. Cassi nodded in reply, handing him the note. "So, he's really going to keep you busy?" Draco asked, looking a little odd.

"I suppose so. He's usually a man of his word," Cassi said with a shrug.

"Do you think you can find time to help me in Transfiguration? I need to be top of the class this year. My father-" Draco broke off. Cassi could only imagine he didn't prefer Hermione beating out his son for the top spot. Mr. Malfoy wasn't a big fan of muggle-borns.

"Of course. I'd love to study with you," Cassi said with a smile. Draco gave her a grateful smile in return.

Cassi just made it to the common room when it was time to turn around and head back out. She said goodbye to her classmates and headed for the Potions classroom.

"Good evening, Father," Cassi said. At his sharp look and a snigger from the student he had in detention, she cleared her throat and said, "Sorry, I meant Professor."

"Do you have news for me?" He inquired.

"Yes. Madame Pomfrey said she needed to confer with Professor Dumbledore but saw little to worry about." Cassi said promptly. "And I got homework!" Cassi sounded unreasonably excited about this, but she has been desperately bored since arriving. At least at her father's house, she could read and experiment until she was too sleepy to see.

"Anything else to add?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No? I don't think I have any more news," Cassi said, wondering if there was something she had forgotten to mention.

"How was your conversation with Jugson this morning at breakfast?" He asked, folding his arms and arching an eyebrow.

It was Cassi's turn to fold her arms. She was about to give a snide retort when she remembered there was a student in detention watching them. Not wanting to give her father a reason to go all 'Bat of the Dungeon,' she said, "He mentioned that magic isn't to be used outside the classroom. I didn't think much of it. I've been summoning things wordlessly like that for years. It's become a habit. I'll do my best to not upset his delicate sensibilities in future."

"Good." He said with a slight smirk. "Now, I'll want triple batches of a fever reducer, pepper-up, cough potion, and an anti-emetic potion. That should get Madame Pomfrey stocked in time for winter. That shouldn't be a problem, should it?" He asked.

"Not at all. Do you want a standard version of all, or do I have room to move?" Cassi asked.

"Move how?" He asked curiously, his eyebrow arching.

"I've always added a little extra peppermint to the pepper-up, anti-emetic, honey to the cough potion, and lavender and feverfew to the fever reducer. But, if that is unacceptable, then I'll stick to the standard recipe," Cassi explained.

He considered her for a moment before he answered. "How much lavender?" He asked, finally.

"No more than two sprigs for a triple batch. It would reduce the efficacy of the feverfew if I added more than that." Cassi explained.

Taking a moment to think, he finally relented. "Yes, that will be sufficient."

He turned to the student, who stopped scrubbing the cauldron he was working on to listen to the conversation and said, "I didn't realize you were part of this conversation, Creevy. Back to work!" He barked, causing the small boy to jump and begin scrubbing harder than ever.

Cassi walked over to the workstation that was obviously set up for her and checked her ingredients first. She was about to ask for the extra ingredients when her father brought them over. The ingredients he used for the school came from a different area than the student cupboard, apparently.

She lit all four cauldrons ladling in the appropriate amount of base for each, then began chopping, slicing, grinding, and pulverizing ingredients for each potion. She placed the ingredients in order as she had done in class.

Cassi began the fever reducer first as it was the quickest and easiest one. Adding the feverfew and stirring twelve stirs clockwise and two counter-clockwise, she added in the willow bark, stirring again twelve stirs clockwise. She continued adding ingredients and stirring, checking for color change and consistency, and just before adding the porcupine quill, she took the potion off the heat. The smell of lavender from the fever reducer filled the room.

She moved on to the pepper-up potion, taking care to muddle the peppermint before adding it to the potion. She went on measuring and checking ingredients, being very careful to get all the weights and measurements correct before adding them to the cauldron. She could see her father watching her from the corner of his eye, but she couldn't break her concentration to ask him if there was something he needed. She had to get these correct. Her concentration was such that she hardly noticed the boy doing his detention had gone.

The last potion she began was the anti-emetic. It was the one with the most ingredients and the most steps. But she was able to begin it before the cough potion was complete. The cough potion only needed a few more stirs, then to simmer for 30 minutes before letting it cool so it wouldn't affect the anti-emetic potion's quality. By the time she had completed the anti-emetic potion and set it to cool, it was after ten o'clock. Her father hadn't interrupted her once throughout her brewing and never stopped to correct her.

"Professor, would you please check these before I bottle them for Madame Pomfrey?" Cassi asked, causing her father to look up from his grading.

"You're finished?" he asked, looking at the clock. Cassi wasn't sure if that was an inditement or a compliment. He walked over, inspecting each potion. Ladling up some, sniffing it, checking the color and consistency, and tasting a small spoon full of each. He lingered over the fever reducer. Cassi could only guess that the lavender was throwing him off a bit. "The lavender makes this a bit more palatable. Madame Pomphrey's patients will appreciate that." He said, sounding mildly impressed.

"I hope so. It's the way mom used to make it for me." Cassi said, her voice a little far away.

Her father considered her for a moment before saying, "Your mother had an aptitude for potions. I'm glad you could bring her talent here with you." He placed his hand briefly on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"Go ahead and bottle these. Make sure they're properly labeled. I'll let you deliver them to the hospital wing tomorrow. It's past curfew. Make sure you go straight back to the dormitories. If the prefects stop you, tell them you were with me. They can confirm it in the morning if needed."

"Yes, Sir. Goodnight then." Cassi said, a little taken aback at being dismissed so quickly.

Wednesday passed quickly. After lunch, Cassi delivered the potions to a grateful Madame Pomfrey, who informed her that Professor Dumbledore approved her internship and she would be working with her on Sundays as long as her grades were satisfactory.

Professor McGonagall was impressed by her Transfiguration ability. Cassi had already vanished six snails in a row, and Professor McGonagall said she'd be ready to try vanishing vertebrates during the next class.

Thursday was a bit more exciting. She had heard through the school rumor mill that Potter had a shouting match with Professor Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher earning himself detention. But it wasn't until she saw him Thursday in Potions that she saw what those detentions included. She was collecting potion ingredients when she saw his hand.

"What the hell happened to your hand?" Cassi hissed out of the corner of her mouth. She could just make out the word 'lies' on his hand. It looked like it was carved there. Cassi's stomach clenched.

"Nothing. Forget it." Harry whispered quickly, picking up mint carelessly.

"Bullshit! Who or what carved that into your hand?" Cassi hissed forcefully. Then her eyes opened wide in horror. "Is that from detention?" She asked more quietly still.

"I- it wasn't," he stuttered.

Cassi felt her father behind her. She trod on Harry's foot quickly to shut him up as she whirled around to face her father. She tried and failed to make her face look irritated. She knew her father would see through it, but she was hoping the class wouldn't.

Her father's eyes bored into hers. She thought hard about the mint and a made-up admonishment. She saw his eyes flick to Potter's hand, where the wilted mint was still clutched. "Don't you both have potions to brew?"

"Yes, Sir," Potter said, evacuating the space as quickly as he could. Cassi could see him out of the corner of her eye, adjusting something over his hand to hide the words carved into it.

Cassi made to slip past her father when he snatched her arm in a vice-like grip and squeezed hard. She clenched her teeth to stop herself from making noise. "Be more careful," He hissed in her ear. He released her with a little push. She went back to her seat, wanting desperately to rub her arm but not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Cassi was angry and distracted. She looked at Hermione, and she knew the girl could see the anger on her face. She began chopping her valerian root with aggression, trying to reason why Potter didn't want to say anything and what that woman could possibly be using to do that to students. She would have to do some research and send some owls. Her emotions were still hammering inside her, but her brain was screaming in alarm. Somewhere she knew something was horribly wrong.

Slamming down her knife, she took a deep breath, and that's when it hit her. There was an acrid, acidic, burning sort of smell. Cassi looked around wildly. "Granger, Move!" Cassi shrieked. She dove forward and tackled Longbottom off his stool, throwing up a shield charm as she went. The Longbottom boy's cauldron exploded with the force of a small bomb, setting the table alight and melting part of the stool he had just been pulled from. Gratefully the explosion had been contained to the table by the shield charm.

"What is the meaning of this!" Snape spat, yanking her off the floor.

"I've just stopped Longbottom from killing us all, Sir," Cassi said roughly, yanking her arm out of her father's grip.

Pulling out his wand, he extinguished the flames and contained the dripping potion. It was slowly eating its way through the dungeon floor. Snape lit into Longbottom, who was visibly trembling. Letting his scolding and threats of bodily torture fade into the background, she allowed Draco and Pansy to pull her to their table, checking her over to make sure she was uninjured.

Her father spun her around to face him. He flicked his wand at her. From the corner of her eye, she could see Draco flinch. Cassi merely stared at him. "I'm fine," she added with a sigh. She knew he was doing a diagnostic spell. She found she didn't care. "Is that boy all right?" Cassi asked, nodding in Longbottom's direction.

"He'll live, at least for now," her father sneered, looking at Longbottom as though his days were numbered. "Twenty points to Slytherin for saving your classmates." He said, looking smug. He waved his wand again, replacing the table and repairing the floor. He looked around the classroom. "What are you all staring at? Class is not over. Back to work," he said, his voice low and deadly.

Cassi looked at the table. "Damn," she sighed. She'd have to start over. Going back to the potion stores, she gathered up the necessary ingredients. Hermione appeared next to her a moment later.

"Are you all right?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm fine," Cassi hissed back. "Can you meet me in the library tonight, at eight o'clock?" she asked Hermione. "I'll be in the back. Come if you can. Alone." Cassi didn't wait for a response. She turned and went back to the table to try and make some advancement in her potion before class ended.

When the bell rang, Snape called out, "I want twelve inches on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion making. Due next class. Dismissed." Cassi was grabbing up her notes and instruments when Snape called out. "Miss Snape, up to my desk if you please." Cassi froze, shutting her eyes tightly.

She squeezed past the students filing out, walking up to the head of the class. She prayed for patience with every step. "Yes, Sir?"

He waited for the class to finish filing out. "Are you quite sure you're all right?"

She nodded, saying, "Yes, Sir. Fine, thank you."

"What were you and Potter talking about? And don't tell me it was over the mint. I know there's something else." He said, looking deep into her eyes.

"I was asking about his fight with Umbridge," She said. It was partially the truth. She buried the rest of the conversation. "He said she gave him a week's worth of detention. I told him he was an idiot with no sense of self-preservation," which again was not a complete lie, but Potter wasn't the one she had mentioned that to. She was getting good at manipulating her thoughts and the feelings that surrounded them.

Snape looked at her hard. "Do not lie to me. It will not end well for you. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

Shit, he knew she was lying. She couldn't tell his secret. It wasn't hers to tell. At least not until she was sure what was actually happening. "No, Sir," she said more confidently than she was feeling.

"Dismissed," he said shortly. Yup, he was going to murder her. Why the hell was she risking her own ass for this guy she barely knew. Shit. She needed to send some letters, and now she'd have to do that in secret.

She made it to Defense Against the Dark Arts, where this woman, who called herself a professor, presided over the class. She treated them like toddlers. She outlined her course aims on the board and bade them all copy them down. (1)

Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.

Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.

Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.

Cassi frowned at the board after copying the course aims down. She then began flipping through the book, looking for tutorials and the like. There was nothing there. She frowned at Professor Umbridge for a moment, possibly too long. It caused the woman to approach her. Umbridge placed her short stubby beringed fingers on the desk Cassi was sitting at.

"Something you wanted to say, dear?" She asked. It wasn't an actual question. It was much more a challenge.

"No Madame. I do have a small question. But I don't wish to interrupt. If possible, may I stay after a moment to ask?" Cassi asked in the most appropriate voice she could. She was respectful and courteous.

"Of course, dear," Professor Umbridge said. She got the worst feeling of foreboding from this woman. She had no idea why. She couldn't get in trouble today. Her father already looked like he wanted to kill her. She wasn't going to give him another reason. She sat there like a good girl, reading that damnable mind-numbing book, and trying to take notes. When the bell finally rang, she dragged herself up to the teacher's desk.

"Madame Umbridge, just a quick question," Cassi began. "Between the course aims and what I've gleaned from the book it doesn't appear we'll be using magic in class. Is there a reason why?" She finished. She seemed to be bracing for impact.

"I cannot think of a reason you'd need to use magic in my class." Professor Umbridge began. "I know your story and what you've been through. I can assure you, you are safe here, in this school, with us looking after you. Study the theory hard, and you'll do well on your O. . You are dismissed," Professor Umbridge said coldly. When Cassi opened her mouth to retort, Professor Umbridge said, "I don't think your father would appreciate you getting detention or losing house points for Slytherin. Do you?" In a horrible simpering voice.

She left no room for argument, and it appears she had this discussion before. Probably with Hermione. She'd have to ask her when she saw her later. How the hell is she finally in a school for magic and using magic less now than when she was home-schooled?