The heavy door of the Slytherin common room sealed behind them, drowning out the last echoes of the coridors. 

Theo barely made it past the entrance before he snatched a piece of parchment off the notice board. He scanned it once, then let out a low chuckle.

"Merlin's bloody beard. They actually printed this," he muttered, turning the poster toward Blaise and Cassie.

Blaise plucked it from his hands, skimming the words with an expression of exaggerated pity. "GALLEONS OF GALLEONS!" he read mockingly. "Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings?" He tsked. "Tragic, really. Imagine being that desperate."

Cassie tilted her head, taking the parchment next. "Like to earn a little extra gold?" she read aloud, her tone almost amused.  "Virtually painless jobs." 

Theo snorted. "Virtually painless. Which means what? You'll keep your fingers, but maybe not all of them?"

Cassie let the paper slip from her fingers, watching as it fluttered to the ground. "Pathetic, really," she muttered. "They have nothing better to do than play merchant. At this rate, they'll be hawking their little tricks in Diagon Alley like common beggers."

"Assuming they don't blow themselves up first," Theo added.

Cassie's smirk lingered, dark amusement flickering in her eyes. "Pity."

Blaise gave an exaggerated shudder. "Imagine waking up one morning and realizing you've turned into a Weasley."

Theo shuddered "At that point, I'd take the Killing Curse."

Cassie's smile didn't reach her eyes. "No need. I'd do it for you."

Before Theo could retort, the entrance to the common room swung open, and a new voice cut through the conversation.

"Theo."

Cassie's gaze flicked up instinctively, locking onto Astoria Greengrass as she stepped into the room. Her frame looked slimmer, almost willowy, her dark hair longer than it had been last year, cascading in soft waves down her back. She moved with effortless grace, the kind that always made her look like she was gliding instead of walking.

Cassie narrowed her eyes slightly. Since when was her hair that long?

Astoria stopped beside Theo's chair, her lips curling into a well practiced smile. "I was wondering when I'd see you."

Theo lifted a brow. "Were you?"

Cassie didn't miss the way Astoria shifted, deliberately angling her body just a little closer to him, "

It's been ages," Astoria said lightly, tilting her head. "You look... different."

Theo smirked. "Better, you mean?"

Astoria laughed softly. "Something like that."

Cassie's nails pressed into the fabric of her robes. She could already predict the trajectory of this conversation—Astoria batting her eyelashes, Theo indulging her, Blaise watching with vague amusement.

"Been keeping busy?" Astoria asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Theo's lips twitched. "Oh, you know me. Always."

Cassie's patience snapped. "Busy is one way to put it," she said smoothly, her voice pleasant . "He's got an unfortunate habit of collecting distractions."

Astoria turned her head slightly, just enough to acknowledge Cassie. "Oh?"

Cassie smiled, slow and unsettling. "Mm." She leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "Some of them even survive. Most dont. I make sure of that"

Astoria blinked twice. A fraction of a second too long. Then, she turned back to Theo, her voice smoother, lighter. "I'll see you around?"

Theo gave a quick smile and nodded.

Astoria sashayed away—literally.

Blaise snorted, shaking his head. "Well, that was amusing."

Cassie turned to him with a look so sharp it could've sliced flesh.

Blaise held up his hands. "Alright, alright. No need to—"

"I'm going to bed," Cassie muttered, her voice clipped as she turned on her heel and strode toward the dormitories

Blaise turned to Theo the moment Cassie disappeared up the stairs, his lips twitching. "Why piss her off, mate? You know she doesn't like that girl."

Theo barely glanced at him, smoothing a hand down his sleeve, entirely unbothered. "It's fun to see her jealous." He shrugged. "Looks cute."

Blaise blinked.

"What?"

"What?"

Theo froze for half a second before scoffing. "Nothing."

Blaise's face split into a wicked grin. "Ha! You just admitted you find her cute!"

"Blaise—"

Blaise turned, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Oi! Theo thinks Cassie is cu—"

Theo grabbed him by the collar, shoving him back against a armrest of a leather chair. "Shut up."

A few second years looked over curiously. Theo glared at them u ntil they scrambled away.

Blaise, undeterred, wrenched himself free, still grinning like he'd won the lottery. "So?" he asked, crossing his arms. "Tell her."

Theo let out a dry laugh. "Nah. She'll burn me alive."

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "So what's the plan, then? Just keep making her jealous?"

Theo smirked. "Exactly."

Blaise shook his head, exasperated. "You know Cassie—she's never admitting it first. You two will keep playing this game till you're eighty."

Theo grinned, completely unfazed. "Good. Keeps things interesting."

Blaise groaned. "Merlin, you're both insufferable."

*****************************

Cassie turned onto her side, staring at the wall

Umbridge. That insipid woman with her sick voice and hollow pleasantries, laced with poison beneath the surface. Cassie already hated her.

Sirius. no need to even think about that bitcgh

Astoria. Cassie's lips curled slightly. That girl had gotten bolder, way more prettier though-

And then—Dumbledore.

Cassie tensed curling tighter

At dinner, just for a moment, she had made eye contact with Potter. He had looked... smug. As if he had done something significant. And then it hit her.

He knows about Regulus. Fuck- how did she forget

Which meant—Dumbledore does too.

Cassie clenched her jaw. Knowing Dumbledore, he'd use that information somehow, twist it to his advantage. The man always did.

She groaned, turning onto her other side, squeezing her eyes shut, willing sleep to come.

It did. And so did the usual nightmare.

******************

Cassie woke abruptly, chest tight, heart hammering. She exhaled sharply, eyes shifting to the clock on her bedside table.

3:00 AM.

She let out a slow breath, then flopped back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. She stayed like that, unmoving, until the first flickers of morning light bled through the windows.

*****************

breakfast

The Great Hall was its usual chaotic self, filled with the clatter of plates. Cassie dropped into her seat, barely paying attention as Blaise slid in beside her.

"Timetables," Draco muttered, tossing a handful of parchment onto the table.

Cassie grabbed hers, eyes flicking over the schedule.

"OWL year," Blaise said, stretching lazily. "Better start preparing for our inevitable descent into madness."

 "You say that like you've ever prepared for anything in your life." Cassie scoffed

Blaise grinned. "True. But I like to talk about preparing. Makes me feel accomplished."

Theo snorted. "You two can joke, but you know they'll be breathing down our necks about exams soon enough."

Blaise groaned, dramatically dropping his head onto the table. "We are so fucked."

"You are," Cassie scoffed, pouring herself some tea. "I'll be just fine."

"Not everyone is a born genius like you, Cass," Pansy muttered, glaring at her own timetable

"Yeah, some of us actually have to try to pass."

Cassie took a slow sip of tea, looking thoroughly unbothered. "Sounds miserable."

"You are insufferable," Blaise muttered.

Cassie arched a brow. "And yet, you continue to sit with me. "

Blaise waved a hand. "That's just because I'm hoping some of your unnatural intelligence will rub off on me by proximity."

Pansy snorted. "Good luck with that."

Theo leaned back, scanning his own timetable. " Potions first thing. At least we start off easy"

**************************

Before we begin today's lesson," said Snape, sweeping over to his desk and staring around at them all, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your O.W.L., or suffer my . . . displeasure."

His gaze lingered on Neville, who gulped audibly. Cassie, sitting lazily in her seat, She had no reason to be nervous—Potions was one of the few subjects she could do in her sleep.

"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me," Snape continued. "I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying good-bye."

His cold black eyes briefly settled on Potter, then drifted over to Cassie and Theo. If anything, she could swear there was the faintest glint of approval in the way Snape barely acknowledged her skills, But this time it was- inquisisitveness- almost like he wantedto ask something

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," said Snape smoothly, "so whether you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students."

Cassie stifled a yawn, fingers tapping lazily against her desk. Across from her, Blaise looked equally uninterested, though Theo, sitting beside her, was at least pretending to listen. Pansy, on the other hand, had an expression of exaggerated dread.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation," Snape said, his tone dry. "Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients, you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing."

"Oh, finally, something useful," Cassie muttered, tilting her head toward Theo. "You could use a dose."

Theo shot her a look. "And you wouldn't?"

She merely smiled, slow and sharp.

"The ingredients and method"—Snape flicked his wand—"are on the blackboard." The list appeared in elegant, spidery writing. "You will find everything you need in the store cupboard." Another flick of his wand, and the cupboard door swung open. "You have an hour and a half . . . start."

A great shuffle followed as students stood to gather their ingredients. Cassie rose smoothly, weaving between students without much concern for those in her way. Theo followed at a more leisurely pace, while Blaise remained at the desk, clearly waiting for the initial rush to die down.

"Draught of Peace," Theo murmured as he skimmed the list on the blackboard. "Sounds ironic, considering who's making it."

Cassie merely arched a brow as she plucked a jar of powdered moonstone off the shelf. "Well, let's hope none of us slip up. Wouldn't want anyone in an irreversible sleep."

She smiled sweetly, but there was something about the way she said it that made Astoria—who had been reaching for the same jar—pause for half a second before stepping aside..

 "Think we'll survive this?"

Blaise scoffed. "You might. Pansy's probably going to knock herself out with her own potion."

Pansy, sitting two seats down, flipped them off without looking away from her cauldron.

Cassie shrugged, rolling her sleeves up. "This is ridiculous. We've been brewing since first year, and Snape acts like we're all on the verge of complete incompetence."

Theo arched a brow. "To be fair, half the class is." His gaze flicked to the Gryffindor side of the room, where Seamus Finnigan's cauldron was already bubbling ominously.

Blaise snorted. "Natural selection at work."

Cassie hummed, carefully measuring out powdered moonstone. "If only it worked faster."

A few seats away, Potter was already frowning at his notes, and Cassie could feel his occasional glances in her direction. It made her fingers itch. 

She exhaled sharply through her nose, shoving the thought aside. Not now. She had a potion to perfect.

Across from her, Theo had started stirring, perfectly precise, his brows furrowed in focus. "So," he murmured, just loud enough for her and Blaise to hear, "we're all in agreement that Snape's just doing this to publicly humiliate Potter?"

"Obviously."

Cassie let out a quiet chuckle, dropping a measured two drops of syrup of hellebore into her cauldron. "Like watching a cat toy with a dying mouse."

You sound like you enjoy it."

Cassie tilted her head "I do." leaning allowing it to simmer

"A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potion," Snape announced, his voice cutting through the thick, humid air of the dungeon.

Cassie glanced down at her cauldron—thin silver mist curled upward, flawless. Beside her, Theo's potion mirrored hers, perfectly shimmering. Of course.

Across the room, steam in every shade but silver clouded the air. The Gryffindor side of the room was an absolute disaster, as expected.

Then—

"Potter, what is this supposed to be?"

The Slytherin group immediately perked up, heads turning in sync to watch the unfolding spectacle

Harry's cauldron was a churning, dark mess

"Tell me, Potter," Snape said smoothly, "can you read?"

Draco snorted. Pansy outright laughed.

"Yes, I can," Harry said through gritted teeth, his fingers clenching around his wand.

"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Potter."

Harry squinted at the blackboard, the shifting haze of multicolored steam making it difficult to read.

" 'Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counterclockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes, then add two drops of syrup of hellebore.' "

Snape tilted his head. "Did you do everything on the third line, Potter?"

Harry barely muttered, "No."

"I beg your pardon?"

"No," Harry repeated, louder this time. "I forgot the hellebore."

Snape sighed,  "I know you did, Potter, which means that this mess is utterly worthless."

With a flick of his wand—

"Evanesco."

Cassie watched with a lazy smile as Snape vanished Potter's ruined potion with a flick of his wand—watching Potter get torn down was practically a pastime at this point. 

She glanced at Theo, whose potion was coming along almost as perfectly as hers, silver mist curling lazily over the rim of his cauldron. Blaise's, however, had taken on a murky brown color, and from the way he was glaring at it, he was not happy.

"This is a joke," Blaise muttered under his breath, barely moving his lips. "Draught of Peace? More like Draught of Insomnia, because I swear this class will put me to sleep."

Cassie let out a quiet chuckle, stirring her potion with practiced ease. "At least yours isn't actively trying to kill someone." She nodded toward Ron, whose cauldron was now hissing ominously.

Theo smirked. "Could be useful, though. Slipping the wrong potion into someone's drink... accidental poisoning. What a tragedy."

Cassie hummed  "Shame we're all such law-abiding students."

Blaise scoffed. "Right. And I suppose you don't have an extensive list of people you'd like to slip an irreversible sleeping potion to?"

Cassie's smirk widened. "Oh, I have a list." She tapped the side of her cauldron absentmindedly, voice dropping into something almost melodic. "Starts with Potter. Ends with that godforsaken pink toad."

Theo let out a low laugh, but before he could respond, Snape's voice cut through the room again.

"Perfect, Nott," he murmured, peering into Theo's cauldron. "Acceptable, Black," he said shortly, barely sparing her a glance.

Cassie rolled her eyes. Oh, the world would surely collapse if Severus Snape ever acknowledged her work as anything more than just acceptable. But coming from him, acceptable was as good as outstanding. "Perhaps you and Black could provide a much-needed demonstration of competence for the rest of the class." His eyes flickered toward Blaise's potion. "Unlike some."

Blaise raised a brow, unbothered. "What can I say? Not all of us live to impress you, Professor."

Cassie fought back a grin as Snape turned away with an unimpressed sneer. Theo, however, shot Blaise a look. "Do you try to get on his bad side, or does it come naturally?"

Snape walked away without a word, his robes billowing as he moved toward the front of the dungeon.

"Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill one flagon with a sample of your potion, label it clearly with your name, and bring it up to my desk for testing," Snape instructed, his voice sharp and impatient. "Homework: twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion-making, to be handed in on Thursday."

There was a collective groan from the class as students hastily bottled their potions, scribbling their names onto labels with varying degrees of legibility.

Snape barely looked up from his desk as he waved a hand toward the door. "Now get out, you lot—"

He paused just as the room filled with the sounds of chairs scraping and bags slinging over shoulders.

"Black. Stay back a minute."

Cassie stilled, exchanging a glance with Theo, who hesitated near the doorway. She gave him a slight nod, and with a final curious look, he left, the dungeon emptying until it was just her and Snape.

Snape cast a sharp glance around the dungeon as if expecting someone to be eavesdropping.

Cassie smirked, leaning against one of the desks. "So, sup, Snivellus?" she drawled mockingly.

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue, Black."

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Don't tell me you're here advocating for Dumbly, Severus?"

His gaze sharpened, and for a moment, he studied her with something between irritation and curiosity. Then, with an almost casual tone, he asked, "How is he alive—Regulus?"

Cassie stiffened. Forgot Snape was in the Order. Forgot that by the end of the day, he'd likely be reporting everything to that old meddler. "Dont know, Can't say," she responded smoothly, not meeting his eyes.

"You lie."

"Of course I am," Cassie said swiftly, not bothering to deny it. "Why would I tell anything to the pet of the most manipulative wizard ever?"

"I am not Dumbledore's pet," Snape spat, "And there is no way he can be alive. The Dark Lord—"

Cassie's brows shot up. "Wait a minute, Snivellus—Dark Lord?" her tone joking "What are you, a Death Eater?"

Snape didn't say anything.

The silence stretched.

And then—realization hit her "The fuck you are," Cassie breathed, her eyes widening.

Cassie's mind whirled as she stared at Snape. A Death Eater? No, wait. That wasn't the part that sent ice running through her veins.He was a Death Eater, and he was standing in Dumbledore's dungeon, playing professor. And he was in the order?

She folded her arms. "What are you, some kind of double agent?"

Snape's expression didn't flicker. "That's none of your business, Black."

Cassie clicked her tongue, tilting her head. "No, see, it kind of is. Because if you're on both sides, that means you have the ears of two of the most powerful wizards alive—one of whom thinks Regulus is dead." Her voice dropped "And I'd like to keep it that way."

Snape's lips curled slightly. "The Dark Lord himself announced his death. There is no way he is alive without some dark ritual- or something—"

Cassie stepped forward, her gaze burning into his. "You're not going to tell him. Right?"

She meant for it to be a threat. She really did. But the way her voice edged too quickly, how her fingers twitched at her sides—there was something else. Fear.

Snape went still.

It lasted only a moment, but hecaught it.

Black, out of all people, was scared.

Regulus. He was her weakness.

"No," Snape said firmly. "Not unless Dumbledore thinks it's necessary."

Cassie's blood ran hot in an instant. Dumbledore. That fucking old manipulative- bitch.

Her wand was out before she had even thought about it, tip pointed straight at Snape's throat.

"You say one word to him," she said, voice low and vibrating with fury, "and I swear, Snivellus, I will kill you myself. Him too, if necessary."

Snape didn't even flinch. "How dramatic, Black. Relax—I'm not going to say anything. Regulus used to be my friend, after all."

Cassie let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You think this is a joke? You want me to trust a double agent—a slithering snake—on the basis of some friendship you had years ago? Make an Unbreakable Vow why dont you"

Snape's expression didn't change. "I expect you to have some sense. I have nothing to gain from telling either side about this."

Cassie's jaw clenched. "Yeah? And if the Dark Lord starts sniffing around? What happens when he demands to know?"

"I lie," Snape said simply.

Cassie scoffed. "Because that's worked so well before." She took a slow, deliberate step forward. "You expect me to just hope you won't switch sides the second it benefits you?. "People like you always have a way of changing sides when it's convenient."

Snape's eyes darkened. "People like me?"

Cassie smiled, tilting her head. "Yeah, you know—spineless cowards. Snakes who slither between shadows, whispering just the right words in the right ears." She took a step forward. "Tell me, Snivellus, Do you call him 'my Lord' when you're groveling at his feet, or is that reserved for Dumbledore?"

Snape's expression flickered for half a second. Just half. But it was enough to make Cassie grin, 

"Careful, Black," he murmured,  "You're playing a very reckless game."

Cassie let out a short laugh. "Oh, I think we're past careful, don't you? Because if you even think about selling me out, I'll make sure you don't live long enough to enjoy it."

Snape exhaled through his nose, slow and measured, as if deciding whether she was worth engaging with.

"You're unhinged," he finally said.

Cassie smirked. "And you're a pathetic little puppet. Guess we're both something, huh? So, are you gonna make the vow or not?"

Snape crossed his arms. "No."

"Coward."

"Realist," Snape corrected smoothly. "I don't make foolish bargains with impulsive little girls who think threats make them powerful."

"Fine," she said, stepping back. "But if I get even a whiff that you've told anyone about Regulus, I will come for you. And I promise, Snivellus, it won't be quick."

Snape raised a brow. "Charming."

Cassie turned on her heel, shoving the dungeon door open. But before she could leave, his voice stopped her.

"Does he even know?"

Cassie frowned. "What?"

"Regulus," Snape clarified, tilting his head slightly. "How far would you go to keep his secret?"

"Yes," Cassie said lowly, not believing her own voice.

Snape scoffed. "Lies again, Black. You're slipping. Not up to your usual game. I know you're not the same girl he sees. Maybe a perfect pureblood heiress to him—but an unhinged psychopath to the rest. Killing doesn't faze you, does it?"

 "You think you know me, Snivellus?" 

"I know enough," he murmured

*********************************************8


IM LITERALY IN MIXED VIEWS ABOUT THEIR DYNAMIC- LIKE SHUD SNAPE BE SOFTER TOWARDS HER SINCE HE KNOWS REGULUS IS RAISING HER- BUT IN THE END SHE IS STILL SIRIUS'S BIRTH DAUGHETR- WHICH KIND OF MAKES HIM HATE HER-

ANDDD- LIKE- THEO GOT TO UP HIS GAME FOR SURE THERE IS NO WAY HE IS PULLING CASSIE WITH MAKE HER JEALOUS IDEA

LOOK AT ME COMPLAINING LIKE IM NOT THE ONE WRITING THIS 

ANDDD- HATE DUMBLY OBVI-

ANDDDDDDD NEXT CHAP WE GET TO SEE UMBRIDGE CASSIE MEET- (MORE LIEK START OF UMBITCHS DEMISE BUT YAYY)

TILL NEXT TIME

MXRIDDLE
(PS U GOT 2 DAYS 2 CHAPS COS THE INTERNAL I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAS BEEN POSTPONED A BIT- ALSO IM DOWN WITH ALLERGIES- SO CANT STUDY SHIT ANYWAYS)