When the Knights of Walpurgis first became active, they were merely a muggle hating extremist group. Albus kept an eye on their… activities, but mostly stayed focused on greater Europe as a whole and his home, Hogwarts. After the War, he needed to be wary of anyone else encroaching, trying to fill the power vacuum that Gellert left.

And there were many.

From 1946 to 1953, Albus was away from his home country more often than not, trying, nearly in vain, to stop another war from breaking out. He did not wish for more suffering, for himself, his people, or the muggles. Still, he made sure to keep an eye on these Knights. He knew several of the ringleaders, but no evidence was ever given. They would only target families at first, leaving very few alive to tell their tales. It wasn't until small villages were burning that the Ministry finally agreed to allow Aurors to patrol certain areas. A useless maneuver. The Aurors were easily bribed, or in the rare case, joined in on the fun. And that was if the groups were even in the few towns the Aurors were supposed to be guarding. There were far too many settlements.

The Knights as well were not just in it for the killings or the torture, of course, but the… pleasures as well. Albus had been disgusted with his fellow Wizards, standing before the Wizengamot, trying in vain to sway their eyes to this horrid situation. He swore before them that another war was on the horizon should they not intervene to remove this rotting wound now plaguing Great Britain.

He was ignored, of course.

So the Order of Phoenix was brought back from the ashes for this hidden war.

Still, it was quiet at first, but it wasn't until the so-called Death Eater's arrived that Albus realized something. There was a large increase in Muggle-born joining Hogwarts. From the 60s to the 70s, there was almost an extra 10 each year. But they weren't Muggle-borns. The facial features of some, or the hair, they looked so much like their fathers. He knew the truth, and after convincing Slughorn, Albus began his investigations. The Lestragnes had over two dozen children, the Malfoys surprisingly only six. The Carrows, Blacks, Flints, and several more. They weren't muggle borns at all. Which each hair, speck of skin, or drop of blood, Albus knew the truth. He cast spells, used potions, and slowly began to move to other children, other Muggle-born. Even if they did not look like their fathers. Even older years, he began to check. Just in case. It had been some time since he had experienced such pure fury. Yet his hands were tied. Especially after one child discovered for himself who he was related to. His body was discovered hanging in Knockturn alley, gutted, a magical message above him.

Those Who Lie Of Their Blood Are Our Enemies.

He was only a third year and had sadly confided in the wrong person.

Yet one blood line never showed its head, surprising Albus. He kept several samples in stasis, just in case, from the Gaunt's and Riddle's. Though it would be easy to discover without them. Should any Heir of Slytherin arrive into Hogwarts, or any Founder's Heir, he would know the second they walked through the Entrace Hall for the first time. Dippet had revealed that Tom was indeed an Heir. Albus could have screamed at the man for hours, for not having told him.

So the first thing Albus did when he first became headmaster after Dippet stepped down, was to always watch the Entrance Hall, to always note when an Heir walked through. Before the war with the Death Eaters, he received at least one notification a year. The Potters, the Longbottoms, The Bones, the Smiths, and a few others, all potential heirs, all accounted for. Though when one Muggle-born in 86 had arrived as a potential Ravenclaw heir, he had been surprised, to say the least. Still.

Still.

When one student walked through the doors of the school in 1989, he couldn't help but lean forward over his balcony, shifting his glass and activating his mage sight.

She had such a powerful aura around her, bigger than anyone else in her year. And yet, they were such a meek child, glancing around at every shadow, scared of her own. Albus recognized her instantly as McGonagall moved down to greet them. His Deputy had warned him of this child, someone who absolutely needed to be removed from her home.

"The stench of alcohol was so strong. I could hardly breath. And the way the man screeched at me. He was horrid, an absolute disgrace. His wife was such a meek woman as well, covered in bruises. The child, bless her heart, was so curious about magic, yet terrified. I believe the father is a squib, he noted that she was as freakish as he. More so even. We must notify the Ministry at once."

He could only watch in sadness as she wore second hand robes, far bigger than one should have at her age. She was clutching desperately at her clothes, looking at the other students who had tighter clothes, and beautiful jewelry, hairpins, everything she did not have. At least she clutched her wand tightly, Albus noted. His deputy had paid for it out of her own pocket, lying to the child about a fund for Muggle-born. Someone waved at her, and Albus could hear the laughter of children from his position. Children could be so cruel sometimes.

After leaving his place and taking his seat in the Great Hall, Albus allowed his Occlumency to take hold and shove away his emotions. He gave his speech, throwing a side eye at Charlie Weasley and the rest of his little group about staying away from the Forbidden Forest. However, once he sat down, he allowed his Occlumency to lower, but his fear took hold as the girl's house was called.

"Jones, Cassandra!"

The wait was long; it had been a few years since a Hat Stall had happened, the last being a Gryffindor student three years ago. Still, as the seconds ticked by, his dread filled, until finally.

"Slytherin!"

His heart dropped, and it took everything he had to not let his face show. The poor girl was in for a horrid time. Perhaps he could talk to Alastor for a resorting. It had been over a decade since the last, but this had to be done. A false Muggle-born in Slytherin would only lead to dropping out at the best.

He took Severus' attention, letting him know toward the poor dear's room immediately, and while the man scoffed, he knew the former Death Eater would help the young girl. He also mentioned getting one of their potions ready. He needed to know. He needed to. A potential heir in Slytherin could mean any number of things, but the dread in his bones only led him to one conclusion.


"To anyone who breaks the rules of Slytherin, know you will be punished most severely." Severus Snape finished his speech to the First Years, having added an additional two rules to his list. First Years were off limits to the normal politicking as the older years called it. And the second was to simply reinforce his number one rule of Unity outside of the dorm rooms. It was the best he could do for this new snake of his. Cassandra was it? He had watched her from the table the entire dinner, a shameful girl who hardly knew even the barest of table manners. He was surprised she hadn't tried to shove everything down her gullet with her bare hands. He saw the eyes, however, heard the jeers. He knew what his other Snakes were thinking. He could practically hear their thoughts, even without using Legilimency. He'd certainly have to have a discussion with Flint of the look on his face.

Still. He made the first years fall in line, more boys than girls this year. The Carrow Twins and Cassandra on one side, and some minor families on the other. He brought them to their rooms, one by one. The good thing about Slytherin was that each student obtained their own room, similar to Ravenclaw, who had two to a room while Gryffindor and Hufflepuff each had dormitories. What madness that would be. Still, he made sure Jones was the last to get a room, putting her near the entrance, and unlike the others, taking his time to explain a dozen things to the young girl. All the while casting spell after spell on his door.

"If you ever need anything, simply find myself, Filius Flitwick, or Minerva Mcgonagal. They are the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Heads of House, respectively. If it is a matter of inter-house issues, find me immediately. I will not sugarcoat this. A Muggle-born in Slytherin is not a good thing. Your own housemates will look down upon you. So keep your head down and stay out of trouble. Do you know how to do that?"

She nodded, staring straight into his eyes. Severus couldn't help but take the chance to read her surface thoughts and was instantly surprised. She was a natural Occulmens. His stomach turned as Albus' theory began to take hold. Still, he pushed them aside and almost let his mask slip at the memories he saw… at least she knew how to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself.

"Good luck. Come find me if you ever need anything. I suggest staying in public areas, or your room at all times. The Prefects will step in to keep you from harm." Why did they have to live in a world where he had to warn a small eleven-year-old like this? "Perhaps it is my own fault. Or more specifically, people like me." Serving him had been such a mistake.

He had a meeting to get to.


"It wasn't ten minutes before someone tried to enter her room." Severus mutter as Albus looked over the potion, waiting.

"Did they get through?" He asked, staring intently for any color change in the potion. It took almost two hours for a reaction to present itself, and Albus wished with all his might that he was wrong.

"Of course not. While I was strapped for time, my spells are immaculate as always. Besides. Do you think I would be here if they had?" The Potions Professor scoffed. "I'll know who did it in the morning when I go to collect the First years. The intruder will be marked."

"And if it isn't a first year?"

Albus could practically feel Severus' eyes burning into the back of his skull. "I will deal with them."

"Good." Albus stroked his beard as his clock chimed, signaling the time of 11:00 o'clock. He had heard many complaints from students about how unfair the man was over the years on points or detentions. But if someone were to actually check the Points Hourglasses, they would see Severus' points never went through unless it was a true infraction. As for Detentions, Severus imposed his own brand of punishment. He didn't know which was worse, Filch or the Potion's Master.

Now if only he could—Green. The potion finally changed to green. Any minute now and it would become clear or black. Clear would be a positive, black a negative. He hadn't moved from hovering over the potion in two hours.

"What if she is the Dark Lord's child?"

"We need to get samples from the parents."

"Are you sure?"

"She could be a grandchild, or something else." Anything else. A cousin perhaps. Maybe his samples could be contaminated. Maybe he needed to get something else. "Are you sure you got one of her hairs?"

"I summoned it myself." Severus muttered. Watching the girl flinch and look around in worry had hurt a bit. But it was necessary.

"And you didn't mix it—" Clear. The potion was clear. Albus' heart sank.

"What is the plan?"

Albus sighed. "We must remove her from her parents."

"Should it be that drastic?"

"Minerva assures me."

Severus frowned, but admitted, "Her surface memories of keeping her head down were not the best." He didn't see much but from some bruises he had seen…

"I will announce in the morning that at the end of the month, I will begin taking interviews with the first years, to try to understand any needs that the School has from a fresh face, so to speak. I will send a letter to the Board of Governors."

"What if they say otherwise?"

"It will not matter. It is outside of their power. We will… let's see. Slytherin will be third. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and finally Gryffindor. We must keep this under wraps. After speaking with her, I will do all that I can to get a confession, and submit the paperwork to the Ministry. It must be quiet, and I will have to find someone willing to take her."

"The Diggory's owe you, do they not? Or perhaps the Weasley's. While I'd had for another of their spawn, Molly and Arthur are no doubt exemplary parents." Albus was sure he could never get the man to admit that before anyone else.

"I will begin the talks."


Albus let out a deep breath as he hand polished his glasses. Magic could work wonders, but the motions just made him feel at ease. He felt the young girl slowly coming up the stairs, feeling her emotions flare wildly with her magic. Whether or not she was Tom's granddaughter or not, she needed to be removed from her parents. Another year and the young girl would probably become an Obscurial. Near silent, she knocked, and as Albus replaced his glasses, he also replaced his mask of wise kindness and gentleness. "Come in!"

She was so timid, the poor thing. He had been so busy throughout the first month; he hadn't had time to keep an eye on her, leaving the job for Severus. Now that everything was settling down, however, he would certainly be keeping a closer eye on her. Considering the amount of detentions and other punishments Severus was giving out, it would become a necessity.

"H-Hello-o s-sir." He had heard of her stammer. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it had been. Pomona was giving the girl detention after detention with herself, helping the poor thing talk through it. It also served to keep her housemates away.

"It is nice to meet you in person, my dear. I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster."

"O-h, I-I know, s-sir."

How could this timid creature be at all related to the monster that was Voldemort? "I am merely introducing myself, now that we are face to face."

Her eyes went wide, and she practically bent herself at a 90-degree angle, spewing out an apology.

"It is fine, my dear. Please. Introduce yourself."

Her eyes were shifting nervously around the room as she slowly stood back up, wringing her hands together. "M-my name is Cassssandra Jonesss, s-ssir. I-I'm a F-f-firssst year."

Albus had to fight hard in order to not narrow his eyes. She was stressing her s's now while being tenser than normal. The only person to have done that was Riddle, and only when Albus had begun winning their duels. He had to ignore the urge swelling inside to now summon a snake immediately. Just to be sure. "It is an honor to meet you, my dear."

Her eyes went down to the floor again, and her cheeks turned red. What an interesting young child. "Please, sit my dear." He had to worm his way into her mind and convince her to sell out her family. It was for her own good.

"T-thank you, sss-ssir." The chair practically swallowed her small form as she sunk into its velvety cushions. For everyone else, it had been a normal school chair, but he had transfigured it almost immediately after the last child left. She kept pushing her hands into the cushions in wonder.

"Now then. I do not wish to take up too much of your time. I know you're in the middle of a potions lesson." Severus had practically threatened him when he found out. But it was the only time he could get the first half of the first year Slytherins this week. With Ms. Jones being the last of this first half. All the others had been so tight-lipped, as if their parents had told them to stay quiet. Yet with them all, he had refused to use Legilimency on them.

Until now.

Nervous.

Antsy.

Wondering.

In pain. Back and left leg. Tripped on air.

"A jinx." Albus thought to himself. From within a group of fellow first year Slytherins. He'd have to let Severus know. First, however, he threw out an easy question. "How has your schooling been so far, Ms. Jones?"

"O-oh, i-it's been sss-sso nice." That stutter was starting to grind on his nerves. The poor girl must be terrified.

Why me?

Am I in trouble?

I didn't do it.

I didn't.

Albus frowned mentally. Someone had stolen another student's essay and placed it in her bag. Minerva had no choice but to take points. It was suspicious that the offended student knew immediately where it was, however.

"Has it?" He smiled gently. "What do you enjoy most about it so far?"

"T-the ma-magic." She smiled, and Albus felt his heart melt. "I-I lov-ve the sp-sp-spellsss."

"Learning has always been my favorite thing as well. What is your favorite spell so far?"

She blushed even more, and a dozen thoughts flashed over her mind. He was glad that her natural shields weren't so enforced. "I-I r-read ab-b-bout a sh-shield charm." She muttered.

Don't lie.

Why lie?

Bad people lie.

You're a bad person.

This is why you deserve this.

Albus openly frowned now, and leaned forward, "It's alright my dear, you can tell me."

Her eyes went wide, and she looked away completely, breaking their connection. "I l-like the ch-ch-cheering charm." She muttered.

"Oh? And why that one?" He coaxed her forward, drawing a small bowl from his side of the desk and placing it in front of her, trying to make eye contact once more. "Here, my dear. Try a lemon drop."

She was hesitant at first, but took on at his prodding. She instantly settled, her wringing hands sat flat atop her legs, and her eyes stopped darting around as much. He'd have to let Minerva know that his potion soaked candies did the trick again. "I want to cass-sst it on m-m-my—" She slapped a hand over her mouth, bewildered eyes wide now, but Albus only gave her a grandfatherly smile. Even as he sifted through her memories once more, this time digging a little deeper. She might have a slight headache due to her shields by the end, but he'd send her to Pomfrey instead of back to class. Though Potions would be over soon.

Dad.

Maybe he'd be happy.

Maybe he'd stop.

Maybe he wouldn't—

Albus' stomach twisted, and he almost grew sick at the images that passed by. Each and every grotesque act making him more and more green. He was forced to withdraw and steel his own Occlumency. He took a deep, calming breath and said. "Making the world a happier place is always a lofty goal." Albus had been wrong.

"R-r-really?" That smile again.

"Of course. I think you should keep that in mind. Making the world a better place is such a nice dream, isn't it? My, that's my own, after all." He didn't need to simply take the girl away from her parents.

"Tha-tha-that's am-m-mazing." She clapped her hands. "I-I alw-w-ways thought I wa-was that only o-o-one." He needed to throw them in prison. Or worse.

The things they did.

What the father let his friends do.

What he did.

Albus would later admit to Severus, that if the girl hadn't been in front of him now, he would have left in a heartbeat, apparating straight to that home, and deal with such filth himself.

It was ironic.

All that Tom and his men had done, all that they had said about Muggles. They so very rarely caught the ones that actually needed to be brought down.

Then again. He and his ilk were just the same as this monster. So horrid. If the girl had been a true Muggle-born, then the Dark Faction would be shouting her case to everyone in Great Britain. No, the world. Muggle-borns should be taken from their parents and dealt with.

"May I ask what your favorite class is so far?"

She was much faster to answer this one. "C-charms! Th-th-though Potions i-i-is a c-c-close second!" He noticed now that she wasn't hissing her S's anymore. He was glad she wasn't so scared anymore. Still, he'd have to ask Severus to keep an eye on her, make sure her ability wasn't revealed until after the adoption takes place. He couldn't let Riddle's descendent slip through his fingers. He couldn't let this poor innocent child be taken advantage of. Forget Diggory, forget the Weasley's, he would cash in a favor overseas. He would make sure she was safe.

"Is there anything you think the school could be doing better?" He asked. She clammed up immediately, fear seeping into her features once more. "Anything."

"N-no."

He could only sigh inwardly. Sheh glanced up at him, and he leaped into her mind, gently prodding. Her own house was already out to get her so much.

They spoke for a little while longer. Going over her classes, her housemates, what friends she had made—none—among other things. Finally. Albus asked the one question he had created this whole theater for. "And your home life? How is that?"

She went as white as a ghost and shook like a leaf.

Slowly, Albus pushed his hand forward, holding it out to the poor girl. "I have more titles than a simple Headmaster my dear…"

He finally noticed something. After staring into her eyes this whole time, he finally realized their color. Silver. "I can help you. Just take my hand."


Albus sighed as he continued following the young girl from behind see through portraits and non-existent walls. Even the thought gave him pause. But it was necessary. Twice he had to intervene when her Parseltongue ability showed its head. Still, the paperwork had been pushed forward, and the investigation was beginning. Thanks to a favor from Amelia, everything was going quietly, and things were looking up. Even Alastor, the hat not the Auror, had agreed to a resorting due to the abuse the young one was receiving from her own housemates. And yet somehow, that shy smile never left her face when she would wave at him in the hall or during meals. Always sneaky, hiding the motions from those around. It was a shame; she was a true Slytherin. Not like those who claimed to be her better. If she were stronger, Albus truly believe she could change her house in the future. But he knew letting the problem go would only end in death. Whether it be her own, or someone else's. There was a pop, and laughter erupted around everyone. Young Cassandra stood in the middle of the hallway, frozen in place, horror on her face as something seeped from her hair. Albus almost thought it was paint or something, but as the students made faces and waved away, he knew it to be something else. He stepped through the portrait of a young choir and walked through the crowd, identifying the culprits in an instant.

For once, it wasn't her own house.

"Fifty Points from Gryffindor." He waved his want and most of the sludge disappeared. He tried again, but some still lingered. "And one week's worth of detention with Professor Snape."

"Uh, who is that for?" One of the culprits laughed nervously.

"Why you, Mr. and Mr. Weasley." The twins. He thought they would be as studious as their other brothers, or focus on extracurricular activities. They had instead immediately shown off their pranking habits. A wonderful thing to Albus, yet this was the third time in the last month that Ms. Jones had been targeted by them.

"What! Why?"

The girl was shivering where she stood, but to his surprise, no tears sprung yet. It had been three months since first arriving at the school, and yet she still hadn't broken before her classmates. "Pranking can help bring a smile to anyone, but when it is at the expense of one single person? One who has done nothing to deserve it?"

"She was just in the wrong place!"

"At the wrong time!"

Albus shook his head. "You also used what I can only assume is your own creation? Possibly a failed one from the looks of it." The stench was worse than spoiled milk and manure. A quick spell lightened the air sent a twist of orange spiraling through it. "Using experiments on your fellow students is not something I can condone."

"We knew it wasn't harmful!"

"Yeah!" They were scrambling now. "Even Snape said so!"

"Professor Snape." He ignored the rest of the students, patting Cassandra on the back, ushering her forward. "Come, my dear, let's get you to the Hospital Wing. Pomfrey will be more than happy to help you get rid of this… potion."

The second they had entered the Hospital Wing, and she saw that no one else was around, was the first time Albus had seen the child finally break down. She clutched his robes like her life depending on it, crying and begging into the cloth. Asking the same question, over and over.

Why? Why her?

Albus could only offer his sympathies for the girl, while letting her know how the investigation was going.

Of course. Not everything always went well.


For the first time since coming to the school, Cassandra Jones sat in the common room. It took three months, but her classmates had finally discovered something useful about the pathetic mudblood. She was a whizz with charms. And with the girl's obvious mental issues, the Carrow Twins and some of the boys in their age group quite easily convinced her to help them with their essays. So now, four months into the school year, they had cornered her and had her sit with them to work together.

Of course, together wasn't quite the right word.

Still, Casandra was almost happy. People needed her for once! So she was glad for the company.

Halfway through explaining to Emmet Hornbeam the correct way to copy what she was saying, a group of fifth years stormed down the stairs, angrily fighting.

"—Your fault! If you hadn't of gone into my room when I wasn't there!"

"My fault! You're the one who didn't keep that thing caged!"

"Caged!"

"There goes the peacefulness." Hestia Carrow scowled at the boys.

Her sister Flora matched her facial expression. "Boys."

"Oi!" Emmet and his friend Amos snapped while the others simply kept on with their parchment work, trading Cassandra's work back and forth between themselves.

"Oi!" Frank Eaglet leaped onto a nearby table, waving for everyone's attention.

"Stop making a show, Eaglet!" the sixth year female prefect shouted, standing from where she sat.

The fifth year waved her off with a scowl, and instead shouted. "Everyone, your attention, please! We have a problem!"

"The only problem is you waking me from my nap!" Flint roared, causing Cassandra to flinch at the boy's unexpected voice. He was always coming after her, threatening her, say that he would—

"Shut it!" His older brother Alexander Eaglet shouted, a seventh year and prefect. "For once, my idiot brother is right. If only he had more shame than to dance on tables like a muggle."

Cassandra saw the vein form on the younger brother and quickly tried to melt into the couch in between the twins.

"Whatever." The word was quiet, yet loud, over the silent room. "Alright everyone! As most of you know, I have a Rainbow Boa, about four and a half feet!"

Cassandra didn't know. She perked up in an instant. Snakes were always her friends. And maybe, just maybe, she could make some new friends here.

"She got out of my room. So, she must be somewhere in the dorm. She could have gotten into one of your rooms if you left it open. She's harmless."

"Like hell she is!" Flint again.

"If anyone finds her before me…" The boy furrowed his brow, but finally said, "I'll give you ten galleons!"

Cassandra stood up. She could use that, too. Making friends and some money! She could get something nice for the others in her year, as a thank you for including her! Or even… something for the headmaster…

She miscalculated.

Everyone turned their eyes on her.

"The mudblood?" Someone whispered. That was Zacharias. He always tripped her in the halls, or messed with her on the way to her room. More than once, he had stolen her robes.

"Bloody hell, what now?" another said.

"Is she going to flee to her room again?"

"Hide from the big, bad snake?"

"What a wuss."

"Coward."

"Should have been Hufflepuff."

"I like snakes." She blurted out and instantly winced. "I-I-I—"

"Hah, her stutters back." Mrs. Sprout had helped so much and yet… here she was screwing everything up again.

"And what the fuck does that have to do with—" Frank began, but the same female prefect cut him off.

"Language, Eaglet!"

"Whatever. Go somewhere you're wanted, mudblood."

"Eaglet!"

"I j-just wanted to help." She swallowed thickly.

"Oh yeah," He jumped from the table, stalking forward, "and what can you do, huh?"

"I—"

"Nothing. So just go on somewhere else. I've got to find my snake."

"W-what's her name?" She tried to ask, but mostly squeaked.

To Cassandra, the whole world was crowding her. The lights were darkened, and it felt as if everyone was out to get her. But she didn't want to back down now. Not after finally standing up.

His friend was in her face now. "Her name? What are you daft?"

"I-I can call her!" she blurted out in a panic.

"Call her? Call her. Are you hearing this, mate?"

"I can!"

"What filth is this?" Flint laughed from his side of the room. "This! This is why we shouldn't let this filth in our dorms. In the school! Hell, the world! Trying to act like she can speak to snakes. Like she can—"

"~Come…~" The world froze as the hiss left her mouth. "~Come to me…~"

A scream sounded from another corner as the Emerald Boa slowly lifted its head from within a couch. Revealing itself in all its glory. Cassandra couldn't see it, as her eye focused on the snake. But all around her, everything was watching her. Everything. The snake sigils on the side of the walls, the stone statues, the metal carvings on the chandeliers and lights. Even the ones in the paintings stopped to stare.

"~Come to me~" she hissed again. She'd show them. Snakes were her friends. Her only friends! She had been so excited to be sorted into the home of the Snakes, and yet—

Unbeknownst to all, the portrait hole of the dorm opened, and Severus Snape slid in, blending into the shadows along the walls.

Slowly, the Rainbow Boa slithered its way to her, picking up speed second after second, before finally going under her robes, crawling up her leg, and eventually poking its head from her arm sleeve where it looked deeply into her eyes.

"~You're so beautiful…~" she whispered.

"~As are you, speaker.~"

"What the fuck…" Frank said what everyone was thinking.

His friend, on the other hand, stepped forward, shouting, "What kind of bullshit is this, huh? Do you take us for fools? You? A Parseltongue!?"

"George!" Alexander warned.

But George didn't care. He moved closer, reaching out to grab her. "No one's buying you—" The snake snapped forward, sinking its fangs into his hand, quickly flinging itself from around Cassandra and wrapping quickly around his body. He hit the ground, screaming as it wrapped tighter and tighter around him, crushing.

"Stop it!" Severus was at Cassandra's side now, a hand gently on her back while aiming his wand. If he cast while the boy was flopping around…

The girl heard him, however, and she snapped to work. Sure, she didn't like the boy, but this was too much. "~Stop! Come back to me!~" In an instant, the attack was over, and the bloody snake slowly crawled under her robes once more.

"The mudblood speaks Parseltongue?"

"Is she… the Heir?"

"An heir?"

"It's been fifty years!"

"Jones is the heir?" Her housemates were gathering around, suffocating her. Snape tried to keep them back with his arms, but slowly they rushed forward, closer, closer—

Bang!

Snape's wand smoked as his spell went off. Everyone scattered back, glancing around in fear. "Prefects. See to the students. Make sure everyone gets to bed. I will take Mr. Stokke to the Hospital Wing. Ms. Jones, please follow me."

"I-I did-d-dn't mean t-tto."

"Come." And so the secret was out.


"Are you sure that's what was said?"

"Yes, he told me himself at the Christmas party. He has half of the Wizengamot backing his decision."

Albus leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard. "We must be sure the other half isn't swayed."

"We should have resorted her when we had the chance." Severus bit out. It was too late now. On January 3rd, a hearing would be called over the guardianship of one Cassandra Jones, or as Lucius Malfoy was calling her—Cassandra Gaunt.

"Of course, Abraxas was friends with Riddle."

"Friends?" Severus snorted.

"Riddle's minion." Albus offered. "Still. If they had evidence."

"I'm sure somewhere there is."

"I will call in every single ounce of political power. I have to make sure this goes our way."

"She won't be able to get out of Great Britain now."

Albus sighed, "I know. I have spoken with Arthur and Molly Weasley. They will gladly take the child. Charlie and Percy have thankfully convinced them that Cassandra is in need of a loving family. I believe even the Twins received quite the Howler the other day. I wish I was there to hear it…"

The Potion's Professor sighed, but eventually said, "You seem awfully close to a child you've only interacted with a few times, Albus."

The Headmaster turned his piercing blue eyes to his spy, saying. "I left one child to live in pain once upon a time. No longer will I allow it."

"I will try to convince some others."

"Thank you… my friend."

"Of course, Headmaster."


He failed.

That was it. Once more, he had failed a child.

One vote. One singular vote.

Cassandra Jones would now become Cassandra Gaunt and would become the Ward of Lord and Lady Malfoy. Where she would be taught how to not act like a filthy muggle.

Albus couldn't help but let tears run down his cheeks as he whipped off his glasses. What would this mean? Would another Dark Lord appear, this time a Dark Lady? Would everything have been for naught?

He lost another child to the darkness. And there was nothing he could do now.

Nothing.

Nothing…


Roughly Two Years Later

Harry Potter adjusted his glasses as he stared at the train that would take him away from normalcy. Away from the Dursley's sense of it at least.

He could do this, though. He could be… free? Maybe? He climbed the stairs, entering the train. Up and down he walked through the train, trying in vain to find an empty carriage, but eventually he had to give up. He had passed a few with only a single person, so went back to the nearest one. He knocked, and a muffle "Open" sounded out.

He pulled the doors.

"You again?" She asked. He didn't get a good look at her before, mostly staring at the floor, but now that he saw her, he was almost stunned. "What? I'm trying to hide from someone right now, so if you could either come in, or leave, just shut the door."

She sounded angry, but in his stumbling, Harry walked in and shut the door. He had never seen such gray/silver eyes before. They had stared right through him for some reason.

"Are you going to sit down?"

"Uh, sorry." He fell into his seat, wishing for something to entertain himself. She had a book in her hands, and he wish he had brought on with him. Maybe if he checked his trunk?

"Do you need help getting it into the top compartment?" There was that annoyed tone again, as if everything he did was bad.

"One second." He popped his trunk open and grabbed the first book he could find before standing to put his trunk up. Before he could, however, his trunk floated into the air and slid into place. "Oh, uh, thanks." He turned red. It seemed he was stuck in here now.

"Hn."

Naruto glanced at his book, the one on Charms, and slowly flipped it open. "Maybe I can get a head start? Oh! Right, I didn't introduce myself."

He looked up, but she was focusing intently on her own book. Leaning into the corner, curled up and making herself as small as possible. Like he did at school.

"Uh—" He cut himself off.

She snapped her book shut and turned to him. Her eyes seemed almost wary, but her voice was straight to the point and filled with disdain or boredom or something. "What do you want?"

"Harry Potter." He blurted out.

"What about the tosser?" She rolled her eyes. "What are you, a fanboy of his or something?"

"Uh—" What? "My name is… Harry… Potter…" He coughed into his fist and she looked at him through narrowed eyes.

"Right…"

"No, really!" He jumped to defend himself. "I'm Harry, Harry Potter."

He stuck his hand out, and the woman looked at it with a raised brow. Slowly, she reached out and took it. "Sorry… for the uh… tosser comment. I'm Cassandra Gaunt."

"No problem. You helped with my trunk… so." He cringed at his words.

"Hm." She was a girl of few words, something Harry could appreciate. He took the opposite corner, curling up near the door, and opened his book, ready for the hours' long journey to his new escape.


(AN: So… I had this story in my head for yeeeeeeeears. Usually, it was different from this, though, it usually started with Cassandra being one of Harry's neighbors, but made it like this instead due to later plot points. Anyway. For now, this is just a One-Shot, though I hope to eventually update it and continue it, maybe when I'm done with one of the other stories I'm working on. Just had to get this out of my head for the time being. Anyhow, leave a review if you liked it, they fuel me, and I will see you all later!)

(AN2: I made a buymeacoffee com/ jamessdo. So swing on by if you want to buy me a coffee. For the time being it's just a place if you want to toss a few pennies my way, but eventually I might do something to where you can buy a One Shot or something. We'll see. Let me know you guy's ideas, and if you'd be interested in that sort of thing.