Surprisingly, telling the boys went much smoother than anticipated. While lots of questions were asked, there was none of the expected anger, at least not directed at me. I think of their reactions as we walk down to breakfast. Thankful to have friends that are willing to support me through this. As we get to the bottom of the stairs, making our way through the Entrance Hall, we find ourselves across from Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Pansy Parkinson. Pansy wears her usual sneer, leaving me to assume that she hasn't been told the truth yet. Malfoy and Nott, though, stare me down.

Harry, who had been helping me down the stairs, tightens his arm around me. Hermione and Ron move in front of us as we continue toward the Great Hall. I avert my gaze from the Slytherins, looking at the floor as we walk.

"Cassandra." Theodore calls to me just before we reach the tall double doors. His voice seems strained. I stop moving, biting the inside of my cheek. Shaking off Harry's arm, I turn to face the trio. Pansy now has a look of confusion on her face, staring between Nott and I.

I take a moment to examine my long lost twin. His dark blue eyes match my own, as does his pale complexion, a smattering of freckles to be seen on his cheeks. While he has the same wavy texture in his hair, his is a dark brown color with a slight reddish tint. It surprises me how many similarities I find: our noses, our chins, even the way he stands. It's hard to believe that I had never noticed how much we look alike, and how opposite Hermione and I are.

"My name is Rosie." I finally say, meeting his gaze. His expression is pained, as if just looking at me hurts him.

"Please, Ca- Rosie. I just want to talk. Please." He takes a step forward, holding his hands palms out.

"She doesn't want to talk to you. Leave her alone." Ron speaks before I can answer, stepping forward to block me from view. I feel a hand take my arm, glancing at it I see Harry tugging me back toward the Great Hall.

"I believe Rosie can answer for herself, Weasel." The aristocratic drawl comes from Malfoy this time. Again, my eyes trail to the group. I see the blond looking at me expectantly. I look away, to Hermione, silently asking her what to do.

"It's up to you, Rose. He's your twin, you can talk to him if you'd like." She tells me quietly.

" You're my twin." I emphasize before turning toward Theodore once more. "Okay. Let's talk."

Malfoy looks victorious, Nott relieved, and Parkinson still confused. "Thank you. Um, there's an empty classroom at the end of the dungeon stairs." Theodore says, gesturing toward the downward staircase.

I nod before throwing a reassuring smile to my sister and friends. "I'll see you in a few." I gesture for Theodore to lead the way, following at a slower pace with a hand keeping pressure on my side. I take slow breaths as I take the stairs one at a time. At the bottom, he waits for me, holding open the door to the classroom.

"Are you okay?" Nott asks, brows furrowed in concern.

"I'm fine, just still recovering. Dolohov threw a hell of a curse at me." His eyes widen at the words, letting the door close behind us. I take a seat at one of the desks.

"There's all kinds of rumors flying around about the event at the Ministry and your stint in the Hospital Wing. You were cursed by Antonin Dolohov?"

"Yes. He tried to make my insides my outsides." I try to crack a joke. It only succeeds in causing the Slytherin to pale more. "I believe your father shielded me. That's probably the only reason I survived."

"When he wrote to me saying he found you, I almost couldn't believe him." He says, taking the seat next to me at the desk. "He wants to bring you home."

The words don't surprise me. I give him a grim smile. "Look, Nott-"

"Theo. You always called me Theo."

It's a surprise to learn more about myself, from before. "Okay, Theo. I understand that you lost your sister and you think she's back. But I'm not her, not in the way you want me to be. I have no memory of being her, only of being Rosie. In my mind, I'm Rosie Granger. I have a twin sister, not a twin brother. You have to understand that I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this."

Theo takes my hand, causing me to look at him. "I get that. I do. But if there's any chance that I could have my sister back, in whatever capacity, I have to take it. Imagine if our roles were reversed and you lost Hermione?"

His words hit their mark. "I'd fight with everything I had to get her back." I state simply.

"See? That's why you have to come home. You belong with your family. Your real family."

"Theo, it's not that simple." I squeeze his hand. "I can feel a connection with you, but that doesn't mean I can just leave my family behind. They're all I know. I love them."

"You'll love us, too! It might just take some time, but I promise you will. You belong with us." He stresses his words, glancing toward the back corner of the classroom. "You'll learn to forgive us, too."

"What?" My voice is high as I follow his gaze. I watch in horror as a man who looks eerily similar to Theo removes a disillusion charm, moving from the corner he had been hiding in. With wide eyes, I rip my hand from my brother's, moving to my feet. Pain shoots through me at the sharp movement, but I force myself to ignore it, moving away from the two and towards the door. "You tricked me." I say, looking at Theo once more, hurt.

"I couldn't risk losing you again." He says simply, as if his betrayal shouldn't be taken personally.

"Did you really think I would allow my daughter to go back to the muggle filth who took her?" Lord Nott's face twists in disgust.

"Don't talk about my parents!" I seethe, glaring at the man.

"Those animals are not your parents!" He pauses, taking a deep breath as if to calm himself. "It doesn't matter anymore. Now that we've found you, you're coming home."

"Like hell I will!" I bare my teeth at him as I reach the door, pulling my wand out for protection. "I'm not going anywhere with you. We may share blood, but I am not the daughter of a Death Eater."

I spin around, wrenching the door open. I take an involuntary step back when I find Malfoy standing in my way.

"Sorry, doll. Can't let my best mate lose you again." That lack of remorse in his voice only succeeds in angering me more.

Before I am able to raise my wand again, the tip of another's presses into the side of my neck. "It's time to go home, Cassandra."

Everything goes black.

-

I stretch as I wake, running my hand across the silk sheets. A hiss escapes my lips at the ache in my torso. Relaxing, I settle into the thick pillows, curling up on my side.

My eyes pop open as I shoot into a sitting position. My dorm bed definitely does not have silk sheets.

My mouth hangs open as I look around, confusion filling my mind. I find myself lying on a king size bed with sage bedding. The bedroom is huge, at least three times the size of my room back home. The walls are covered in floral paper, lavender and daffodils. There are tall windows and french doors that must lead to a balcony. A sitting area in one corner includes a fireplace, bookshelves, a desk, armchairs, and a chaise lounge. I spy two doors across from me, most likely leading to a closet and bathroom. A third door stands on the wall opposite the windows.

I slide across the bed and stand. Looking down at myself, I find my feet bare and my body clothed in a nightgown. Slipping on the bedroom shoes beside the bed, I notice a dressing gown lying on the end of the bed and pull it on as well. Wrapping my arms around myself, I make my way to the third door, exiting the room into a hallway. I decide to walk to the left first, hoping to find an exit.

As I walk, I try to think of how I got here, where I am. My memories seem muddled. I know I'm in an unknown place, but it's also oddly familiar. I remember walking down to breakfast with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We ran into someone. No it was multiple people.

I come to a grand staircase. Looking around, I decide to see where it leads. It was Nott (Theo?). I went with him to talk. I grip the banister as I slowly descend the stairs, still slow moving from my injury. There was someone else there. A man. A bad man. Who was it?

As I reach the bottom of the steps, I hear voices nearby. Not knowing where else to go, I follow the noise. Reaching an entryway, I find myself at a dining room. My eyes land on the occupants.

Shit .

Sitting around the long table fully dressed and having breakfast are the Notts and Malfoys.

"What the fuck." My words aren't a question. Each of them turn to look at me.

"Cassandra, dear, that's no way for a lady to speak." I look at Lady Malfoy incredulously as she chastises me.

"My name is not Cassandra." I spit with a curled lip.

"Nonsense, girl. Now, sit down for breakfast." I turn my glare to my biological father.

"No." I cross my arms. "Where's my wand?'

"You'll earn it back in time, though not with the attitude you're currently presenting." Thoros doesn't even deign to look at me as he speaks, skimming the Daily Prophet as he sips his tea.

I gape at him, not sure if I'm more surprised or angry. He finally meets my gaze, an eyebrow raised in question. After a moment he gestures to the open seat beside Theo, across from Draco. I scowl, hesitating. Unfortunately, my hunger wins and I take the seat, not meeting any of their eyes.

I'm angrily buttering toast when Theo breaks the awkward silence. "How did you sleep?"

"After being spelled unconscious? Perfectly well, thanks." I mutter sarcastically, taking a bite of my toast. I reach for the sugar, going to prepare my tea, but hiss as I stretch the still healing muscles in my side. I squeeze my eyes shut as I lean back in the chair, breathing through the pain.

"Mipsy." I peek through my lashes, watching as an elf appears beside Lord Nott. "Get Cassandra a pain relief potion."

"Yes, Master Nott. Mipsy will bes getting young Mistress Cassandra her potion." The house elf disappeared with a crack before reappearing at my side a moment later with the potion. I took it gratefully.

"Thank you, Mipsy." I say quietly, offering the elf a small smile. She stares at me in surprise with her large brown eyes.

"Of course! Young Mistress be calling for Mipsy if she bes needing anything. Young Mistress Cassandra must not bes overworking herselfs." Then she was gone again.

"Did Madam Pomfrey say how long it will take for you to heal?" Theo asks the question, touching my shoulder lightly.

I hesitate a moment before answering. "Most likely the majority of the summer, if I take it easy."

"Dolohov has already paid for his mistake." I turn my attention to the head of the table, surprise fills me as I take in the thunderous expression on Lord Nott's face.

"Throwing such a curse at you was unacceptable." Lady Malfoy speaks this time, turning her nose in the air.

"You must remember, Cissa, Antonin did not know that he was cursing Cassandra. He thought she was one of Potter's mudbloods." I grit my teeth at Lord Malfoy's words, gripping my tea cup tightly before downing my pain potion and chasing it with the drink.

"How long was I asleep?" I ask, looking back to Theo.

"Just a day. We all returned here after our conversation."

"After kidnapping me, you mean."

"Cassandra, bringing my daughter home hardly counts as kidnapping." Thoros almost sounds amused.

"They'll have reported me missing to Professor Dumbledore when I didn't return to breakfast. My sister has probably already contacted the DMLE. They'll be looking for me and this will be the first place they check."

My father laughs outright this time. "My dear, do you really think I wouldn't have prepared for such an outcome? I have already claimed and reinstated you into the House of Nott. A Ministry official was here yesterday as a witness to a St. Mungos employee administering a paternity test. The law and Wizengamot will back me if the right of who should have custody of you should come into question. Those muggles have no claim on you."

Despair fills me, as I stare at him, not really seeing him. I set down my tea cup, getting to my feet. I feel all of their eyes following me as I walk back through the doorway and away from the dining room. I begin making my way back up the stairs, needing a quiet space to clear my head and figure out a plan. It's as I'm walking down the hall to the room that I awoke in that I hear the footsteps behind me.

"If you're trying to sneak up on me, you're failing." I state, my voice is blank as I stop in front of my door. I turn, seeing Malfoy standing a few feet away from me.

"You seemed like you might need someone to talk to."

I stare at him in confusion before turning and walking into the room. "Even if I did, it wouldn't be you." I let the door close behind me as I head to one of the large armchairs, curling up in it.

The bedroom door opens again, the blond walking in and taking a seat in the chair across from me. "It's not as bad as you're making it out to be."

"Being ripped away from my family isn't worth being upset over? Being kidnapped by a known Death Eater isn't bad?" I snarl, glaring at the boy.

He rolls his eyes. "Cassandra- Rosie- whatever you want to be called, it was always going to happen once Thoros realized who you were. He would never have let you stay with the muggles that raised you. Especially once it became public knowledge who you were. And he's right, the Wizengamot would always have awarded him custody, your muggles have no legal claim to you."

"Maybe so, but now my parents are left unprotected." I cross my arms across my chest, huffing.

"Granger will make sure nothing happens to them. You have bigger things to worry about."

"She shouldn't have to shoulder that responsibility alone." I say with a sigh before looking at him. "Bigger things?"

Malfoy nods. "Such as the mind healer your father and my parents have arranged for you. She's coming this afternoon."

"Mind healer?"

"Are you going to make a habit of repeating everything I say?" His tone is amused. "They want to see if the healer is able to recover your memories."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense." I mumble before scrunching my nose. "Why are you and your parents even here?"

A smirk pulls at his lips. "I wondered when you would finally ask." I watch him carefully as he stands and slowly walks toward me before leaning over and bracing his arms on the sides of the chair I occupy. I have a sudden sense of deja vu, thinking back to our encounter in the library. "You're not just Theodore's sister. Cassandra Nott was my betrothed."

A beat of silence passes before I burst into a fit of giggles. Draco furrows his brows, straightening. "What's so funny?"

I gasp for breath, trying to get my laughter under control. "It's just, you think that I would willingly be engaged to you. And that you want me to be! I'm a mudblood Gryffindor. One of 'Potter's mudbloods.'" I put air quotes on the label.

My giggles die down as I watch his eyes darken, leaning over me once more. I shrink back into the chair, trying to put space between us. His tone is much more serious. "I don't think you'll one day marry me, I know it."

"But…But what about Pansy?" I ask, my voice almost a whisper.

"My betrothal contract with her became invalid as soon as you were discovered to be alive. You and I have been betrothed since we were infants. Your claim to the Malfoy Ladyship out ranks her."

"No." I shake my head, fear striking my heart as more horrible news shakes me to the core. "I refuse. I won't accept this. Being forced to claim my parentage is one thing. I won't be forced into marriage as well." I flinch as he takes my left hand.

"It's too late for refusals. It was decided long before you and I were even aware of the decision being made." I watch as his free hand slips into the pocket of his robes before withdrawing a box. I suck in a sharp breath as I realize what he plans to do and begin trying to tug my hand from his grasp. He flicks the box open before retrieving the ring from within it.

"NO! No no no no no no. Please stop, don't do this. Please, Malfoy!" I watch in horror as he tightens his grip on my hand, slipping the silver ring on my finger. It immediately resizes itself to fit my finger perfectly. The large sapphire is flanked by pearls on either side. In any other circumstances, I would have thought it beautiful.

As soon as he releases me, I begin tugging the ring, trying to pry it off of my hand. "You'll need to get used to calling me Draco from now on. It will eventually get confusing when we share a last name." He chuckles softly, bringing a hand to my face and stroking my cheek. I flinch away from the contact. "It's ironic really. I've been watching you for years, wishing you were a pureblood. You're smart, beautiful, and loyal. All things that will help you be the perfect Lady Malfoy. After some etiquette lessons, of course." He straightens, smoothing out his robes. "Now I finally have you. A Malfoy always gets what he wants. Always ."

"Fuck. Off." I tell him through gritted teeth, a stray tear rolling down my face as I glare at him.

"We'll work on that mouth in a few days. After you settle in and have met with your mind healer." Ignoring the way I cringe away from him, he runs a hand through my hair resting his hand on the base of my skull to tilt my head up to look at him. "I have a meeting to attend with my father, but I'll see you at dinner, darling. Try not to miss me too much." He keeps my head still as he leans over and presses a kiss to my hairline.

I shake him off, turning away and screwing my eyes shut. I shake from anger as I listen to him leave. It's not until the door closes behind him that I burst into tears.