The snow outside looked like something out of a book—if the book was cursed and written by a madman with a grudge. Icicles clung to the roof of the house, the trees in the garden were frosty and someone—probably Cassie—had charmed the wreath on the door to grow fangs. It bit Kreacher once and hissed at Theo.

Inside, however, was oddly warm but chaotic

“Cassiopeia!” Regulus’s voice rang down the stairs. “Have you seen the robe you gave me? Look at this embroidery! Tell me this isn’t the finest stitching in the entire London.”

Theo stumbled out of the study wearing the robe in question—a dark forest-green thing with silver threading and a crest on the chest,

“I got it for you,” Cassie said dryly, arms crossed as she leaned on the banister.

“you didd,” Regulus said, swooping in and adjusting the collar on Theo’s shoulders with precision. “But this colour sings on him. Doesn’t it sing? Be honest.”

Cassie raised a brow. “You’re dressing him now?”

Theo shrugged like this was his new normal. “He said I don’t wear enough velvet.”

“You don’t,” Regulus said matter-of-factly. “Honestly, Cassiopeia, you bring home a boy with acceptable pureblood looks but dress him in black shirts. It’s offensive.”

“Why is my dad spending more time with you than me?” Cassie said dryly giving Theo an unimpressed look

“Because I listen when he talks?” Theo replied innocently, inspecting the cuff of the sleeve.

Cassie narrowed her eyes. “I’m the only reason you’re even here—don’t start acting like you belong.”

“I’m starting to feel like I do,” he smirked, and just then Regulus stepped in  “Theodore. I’ve just remembered another drawer of these pressed coats . Come, boy.”

Cassie blinked “Did you just call him ‘boy’ like he’s your heir or something?”

Regulus looked at her, deadpan. “Chill star,I’m borrowing your boyfriend for an hour”

“You make it sound like I’m sharing a house elf.”

“Kreacher resents that implication, Mistress.” kreacher shot from the corner

"Well" Regulus said already leading Theo back upstairs "I hope you know I have no intention of returning him back"

“I’ll send for ransom,” Cassie called after them. “Let me know if he cries.”

Theo only grinned, vanishing down the hall in a flurry of velvet.

Cassie stood in the hallway for a beat, arms crossed, lips tugging at the corners Maybe Theo knowing the truth out wasn't the worst thing after all - She still stared - her father and her boyfriend. Two of the most emotionally constipated men she knew.

Well. That was new.

After Theo’s birthday, Regulus had stopped being weird around him. At first, he’d hovered like she didn't even know what—sighing a lot, pretending he wasn’t invested. But by the end of the week, he’d adopted Theo like some weird protective dad. Every other morning, Cassie would wake up to the sound of them talking over coffee about wandwood or robes or—on one horrifying occasion—Regulus's hogwarts love life.

And Kreacher? Kreacher had stopped trying to poison Theo every meal (he did it alternate days) , which was his version of affection.

It was weird. It was insane.
It was…home.

Cassie had to drag Theo out of the house just to get time alone. Which led to Muggle parents chasing them. She wasn’t proud. Okay, maybe a little.

They’d borrowed two bicycles from behind a Muggle school building (stolen, really), rode around neighborhood Park until Theo nearly ran over a pigeon and yelled, “This is why wizards don’t do this weird circus shit!”

To top it off, Cassie brought her great-aunt's heirloom doll—the one that shrieked in mermish and had glowing red eyes. It was meant to be a Halloween prop. Instead, they terrified half the park, and possibly a toddler. Theo claimed it was the most fun he’d had in years.

And now, somehow—it was Christmas.

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

Cassie woke up to the sound of something crashing downstairs.

Not uncommon on Chrismast

She padded down barefoot in a black jumper, wand tucked behind her ear, only to find Kreacher wrestling with a violently festive wreath that had tried to strangle him.

“Mistress Black,” Kreacher greeted,  “Your father insisted the house appear ‘mildly welcoming.’ The wreath disagrees.”

“Tell it to behave,” Cassie muttered. “Or I feed it to the attic ghoul.”

By the time she entered the drawing room,  Theo was already there, curled cross-legged in front of the tree, surrounded by wrapping paper carnage eyes still sleepy, curls  messy, wearing one of Cassie’s jumpers—black, oversized, and probably stolen on purpose.

"Good morning, Merry Hexmas," he said deadpan, shaking glitter out of his curls.

Cassie dropped next to him, groaning. "How are you this cheerful? It’s not even ten."

“Blaise sent me a scarf that insults people in six languages. I think it’s alive.”

Cassie cackled and lunged for the pile. There were packages from everyone—

From Draco, for Theo: a pair of custom gloves enchanted to shock anyone who tried to disarm him.
From Blaise- an absolutely unhinged dark potion set,
From Pansy: a black candle that apparently makes people romantic with its fumes when burnt (along with a note saying I have no hope from Cass otherwise)

Cassie opened a long thin box from Blaise and pulled out a pendant that whispered compliments only she could hear. “Unhinged,” she muttered.

Theo grinned.

They tore through the wrapping like feral kids, laughing at the absurdity of it—Theo finding a singing tie that wouldn’t stop humming some weird song, Cassie discovering a photo from Draco that had been hexed to blink at her judgmentally every time she frowned which was every 5th second

And then—

"Wait," Cassie said suddenly, ducking behind the tree. "Where's dad ?We gotta give him that thing."

Theo blinked. "Oh. You actually followed through after I did my part?"

“Of course I did.”

Together, they stood and held out a long, perfectly wrapped, box. “For you,” they said in unison, handing it to Regulus, who had just entered in his robe and a scowl, Kreacher hovering at his heels.

Regulus stared at the box. “What did you do?”

Cassie grinned. “It’s not cursed.”

Theo added, “Probably.”

Regulus opened it with slow suspicion—and then stared.

Inside was an antique magical pocket watch, nicked from the murder hallway itself. Theo had charmed it to track protective spells on the house. Cassie had etched the back with a single line in gold:

"You survived. Now live like it."

Regulus blinked—just once—and then, to their absolute horror, looked emotional for half a second “…You’re both insufferable,” he muttered flatly

Theo raised a brow. “You won't cry right?"

Regulus rolled his eyes but definitely blinked faster than usual “I’m going to cry,” Regulus deadpanned. “Truly. Right after I go duel that wretched wreath.”

Cassie beamed. “You’re welcome, Dad.”

Kreacher, from behind, coughed violently

The rest of the morning devolved into full holiday chaos.

Cassie threw wrapping paper at Theo’s face and accidentally hit Kreacher, who retaliated by sending enchanted ornaments at Theo’s head (I didn't even throw it Theo whined) Cassie Laughed but retaliated on his behalf. Regulus retreated behind his newspaper muttering, “You are all worse than Muggle kids.”

To that, the chaos died down.

The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting flickering gold light across the drawing room. The floor was an mix of discarded wrapping paper, glitter, and dangerously pointy ribbon ends. Cassie lay sprawled on her stomach, legs kicking in the air as she thumbed through a small box of cursed prank coins Blaise had sent. Her hair was wild, her cheek smudged with soot.
Theo sat cross-legged on the rug beside her, half-wrapped in green fairy lights that refused to untangle. He looked quietly pleased with himself, the content kind of pleased that only came after good gifts, cinnamon cocoa, and surviving Christmas with Cassiopeia Black. His curls were still messy , and there was a reverent little smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he watched her make a snrky remark

Regulus sitting in the beside room cos quoting him he couldn't handle seeing Pda that involved his daughter  . His dressing robe had holly embroidered into the cuffs  by the way— tastefully, of course

It was... disturbingly cozy.

Even Kreacher, had gotten in the Christmas spirit wandered in with a tray of mugs. He wore a bright red sash that cassie charmed to say House-Elf of the Year in peeling gold letters — . His scowl deepened as he surveyed the mess of gift wrap, then, with reluctant dignity, he set a steaming mug in front of Theo.

Theo blinked. “Did… Kreacher just bring me a drink without saying unworthy suitor?”

“He’s adapting,” Regulus called out from the next room  “We’re all changing. It’s horrifying.”

Cassie snorted into her cocoa on the floor. “Don’t get sentimental, Dad. You’ll give me hives.”

Theo reached for the mug Kreacher had left him — a green ceramic with faded French script around the rim like ivy. The glaze was cracked, the handle slightly chipped. Something about it felt very \ cursed.

Cassie noticed him squinting at it and shrugged. “That’s some old heirloom. Probably French. No one’s figured out what it says.”

Theo arched a brow. “You can’t read French?”

She raised hers right back. “Wait—you can?”

Theo smiled — a little crooked — and leaned forward slightly, voice dropping to a lazy rumble “Je pourrais te faire des choses que même ce mug ne pourrait décrire.”

Cassie froze, blinking once. Her breath caught — just slightly — but she didn’t flinch. Her smirk returned lazily, but her ears were pink.

The translation?
“I could do things to you that even this mug couldn’t put into words.”

The room went utterly, catastrophically silent.

Then —

CLANG.

From the next room Regulus had dropped his cup

A beat passed.

Regulus stepped into the doorway, expression blank and cold

He was holding the broken cup.

Theo froze. He didn’t even dare swallow.

“Oh,” Cassie said sweetly, voice syrupy and not at all innocent, “did I forget to mention? Dad knows French.”

Regulus’s eyes narrowed at Theo with the intensity of a Very dangerously protective dad / ex death eater. Slowly, he lifted one elegant brow.

Theo had fought off  seventh years, Blast ended screws  and even Cassiopeia Black. Nothing — nothing — made him sweat like this.

Cassie cackled getting up and settling right beside him pulling a blanket over them "It can't have been that bad right?"

"Theo sighed and shook his head "You have no idea Mon amour"

Cassie’s head dropped onto Theo’s shoulder.

“You smell like smoke,” he murmured.

“You smell like my jumper,” she shot back.

He looked down at her—eyes twinkling “This feels illegal.”

“Good,” Cassie said. “We’re Slytherins. Nothing about this should be legal.”

They stayed like that for a while. No rush.

Regulus peeked in, saw them curled together, blinked once, then silently closed the door again—without saying a word.

Cassie watched the fire for a long beat. Her hand was half-curled around Theo’s, their fingers lazily tangled,

“Merry Christmas,” she said finally

Theo smirked. “I’d say this is the best one I’ve ever had.”

“That’s tragic.”

He kissed her temple. “So are we.”

Cassie let out a breath, = It was stupid how easily he disarmed her. One kiss to the temple and suddenly she wasn’t a walking weapon anymore—just a girl curled up on a couch with someone who somehow made her feel like she wasn’t built entirely of shards.

Theo looked down at her “We could... stay like this a bit longer.”

Cassie tilted her head, pretending to be unimpressed. “Getting sentimental on me, Nott?”

“You’d like it if I did.” He leaned closer, breath grazing her cheek. “Besides... the fire’s warm. You’re warm. I have ideas.”

His mouth ghosted over her jaw—slow, deliberate, like he was testing the waters . His fingers skimmed her waist like he already knew what he was doing,

Cassie didn’t pull away.

And then—

BANG.

The door flew open “Right!” Regulus announced, way too loudly. “Time for sleep. That’s enough bonding.”

Cassie burst out laughing as Theo visibly deflated.

“Seriously?” Theo muttered, dragging a hand over his face.

“Oh yes,” Regulus said, smug. “Bedtime for you tortured soul number 3. Star, if he tries anything remotely poetic, hex him.”

Cassie gave a mock salute. “Aye aye, Captain.”

Regulus stood there like a smug headd of cockblockery until Theo sighed and stood up, muttering under his breath.

As Theo moved toward the hallway, Cassie trailed him, nudging his shoulder.

“Better luck next time, Nott.”

“Next time, I’m locking the door.”

“Dad has Alohomora burned into his soul.”

“I’ll invent a new door.”

Cassie snorted, arms crossed. “You say that now. Just wait till he hexes it off the hinges.”

Theo turned around in the hallway, walking backward a few steps just to look at her — all wild hair and  sparkling Grey eyes, standing barefoot in her favourtite black jumper

She raised a brow. “What?”

“Nothing.”
A beat.
“Just—tonight was good.”

Her expression softened by exactly half an inch. “Don’t get sentimental. It’s unattractive.”

"Terrifying, actually.” she corrected

“You’ll live.”

Cassie stepped back toward her door, fingers resting lightly on the handle.

“Sleep well,” Theo said

She grinned lazily. “Like the dead.”

“GOOD. NOW ACT LIKE IT,”  Regulus’s voice boomed from down the hall,

Theo snorted. “He’s not even subtle anymore.”

Cassie called back, loud and sugary, “ALRIGHT, DAD. WE ARE.”

Theo gave her one last look before stepping into his room.

Cassie lingered outside her door for a breath.

Then she backed inside.

Quiet.

Almost content.

Except, well—
she didn’t really sleep

She did - but she didnt

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

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

“Call Severus,” a voice rasped.

Cassiopeia couldn’t place it at first. The voice was thin, inhuman, \ The room—if it could even be called that—was cloaked in smoke. The corners flickered, walls curling in  Fog coiled around her ankles

“Call Severus, Lucius,” the voice hissed again.

Cassie turned her head sharply. A hunched figure stood to the side—blond, trembling.
Lucius Malfoy?

Her stomach dropped.

She took a step back—except she wasn’t standing on anything solid. The ground beneath her was just smoke Her fingers reached for a wand that wasn’t there.

“My Lord,” Lucius stammered,  “I—I have told you everything.”

Cassie’s head snapped toward the tall figure in the center of the mist. She couldn’t see his face, but the voice was fitting now..

My Lord?

Dark Lord?

Voldmort ?

Her spine went rigid. She shifted her weight instinctively into a defensive stance. She didn’t know why—she couldn’t move, couldn’t act

“You have, Lucas enough to be disappointing.” The voice grew colder. Curious. Almost amused. “You speak of this… girl. This Black no one knows of. But you tell me nothing of power. Is that not what matters in the army I'm building , Lucius?”

“My Lord, she is—just a girl. Sirius Black’s daughter—”

“And yet Macnair says Dumbledore treats her like a weapon.”
The voice curled with disgust. “a girl you say.”

Cassie’s heart was hammering, Why the fuck would they be talking about her ? it wasn’t real . this was a dream .A trick.

“She’s a child,” Lucius was saying, almost pleading now. “She’s reckless. Insolent. Nothing more.”

Silence.

Then—

“Bring me Severus.”

The shadows warped, and suddenly Severus Snape was walking into the room.

Cassiopeia took a half-step back. Her breath caught in her throat.

What is this?

What if Snape saw her recognized her-she doesn't even have a wand. What if this wasn’t a dream?

“Severus,” the voice said, “You have seen her.”

Snape bowed. “My Lord.”

“Tell me- Who is this Cassiopeia Black”

My Lord, the girl is… unpredictable. Brilliant but reckless. Her magic is—”

“Show me.”

A beat of hesitation.

"My Lord I can tell you-

"Show me" The voice repeated firmer

Then Snape lowered his head and lifted his wand.

“Legilimens.”

The smoke exploded into scenes—like memories

Cassie saw herself—

In the Transfiguration corridor, surrounded by Gryffindors, her wand leveled at someone twice her size
\"Sangiuus ulta"
The boy collapsed, screaming, blood pouring from his ears.

McGonagall’s voice thundered “Miss Black This kind of dark magic is forbidde-”

Flash—

Cassie lunging across Moody’s office, wand raised, face twisted with fury—aimed straight at Barty Crouch Jr.
Dumbledore stopping her  muttering something Cassie never caught. His eyes looked through her like she was something he could never control

Then—
Another flash.

A boy on the ground.. Cassie’s hands around his neck, her knees pinning him. She wasn’t casting anythin

She was just holding him there.

Expression blank.

Watching him choke.

The smoke swallowed her again.

She turned.

The room was gone.

Instead, a woman’s voice floated through the dark.

“Cassiopeia…”

Cassie spun. “Mum?”

There was a shape in the smoke. Pale hands.. “I told you, didn’t I? That he would come for you.”

Cassie’s throat tightened. “What are you talking about? Who—?”

“Don’t let him take you,” her mother whispered. “Don’t let him use you. I won’t lose you again—”

"I wont-

“Don’t let him use you,” she said. “Don’t let him own you.”

Suddenly—

A tall figure appeared behind her mother. No face. Just hands, reaching for her.

“NO—” Cassie shouted.

She lunged forward—

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

And woke up.

She was gasping. Her blankets half-off the bed. Her fingers were shaking.

A sick pain throbbed behind her eyes

The mirror across her room had cracked in two  Shards of glass littered the floor. A high-pitched ringing filled her ears. She could still see smoke

Her wand sparked from where it had rolled under the bed.

Cassie looked down -

Blood.

A small, thin trail of it from her nose. Her hands were trembling. Her hands - her skin—underneath the surface, her veins were dark -almost black

The silencing charm she always placed - before she slept - was gone.

Shit.

She didn’t even get to move before the door slammed open.

“Cassiopeia?” Regulus stormed in like a man who already expected the worst. His wand was out. His eyes darted from the shattered glass to the blood, then to her.

Cassie didn’t say anything. Just slowly wiped at her face with the side of her blanket like it was a nosebleed after a broom crash.

“I’m fine,” she said, too quickly.

“You’re not,” Regulus said, voice sharp. He crossed the room in seconds, kneeling beside her bed. “What happened?”

“It was just a dream, Dad,” she muttered. “I—I must’ve…flared something by accident.”

Regulus stared at her. Really stared.

“You weren’t awake?”

Cassie looked away. “Not really.”

“Then how did you cast—”

“I don’t know!” she snapped. “I didn’t mean to.”

Regulus stood one hand running through his hair like it hurt to process what she was saying "You triggered six wards. Six, Cass.”

“Did I?” she said lightly. “That’s probably a personal record.”

He glanced around the room as if it might offer an explanation, then his gaze landed on her hand—the black web of veins still visible beneath the skin.

Before she could stop him, he was across the room, crouched at her side, catching her hand.

“Let go,” she muttered, trying to yank back.

“Cass.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“You are covered in blood and your veins are black.”

“Barely.”

He held up her hand in the light.

“Cass.”

She sighed. “It fades.”

He didn’t let go.

“Have you been messing with something too dark again?”

“No,” she said too fast.

Regulus’s brows shot up.

“Cass—”

“I don’t know! Not on purpose. Maybe. I don’t remember. Not recently.”

“Not recently,” he repeated.

Cassie swallowed, stood up too quickly, and immediately sat back down as a wave of dizziness hit. “It’s fine. It happens. Once in a while.”

Regulus froze. “It’s happened before?”

"U hmm - yea?"

"Since when?”

“Since fourth year.” She shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “Usually it fades faster. This year it’s just been… more.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

She ran a hand through her hair,  “It’s not always like this. Usually it’s small. A broken glass. A crack in the ceiling. Last month it was just my mirror fogging up with Latin scribbled across it. And I thought it was a prank.”

Regulus rubbed a hand down his face like he was aging a decade in real time. “Latin?”

“I don’t want to talk about the Latin.” She muttered.

"And this was the worse it has ever been?"

"U hhh-not really-

"STAR?"

There was… one time,” she said, reluctant. “Last spring. I blacked out during practicing a spell and woke up with ash in my lungs and the room of requirement table on fire.”

Regulus blinked. “Ash in your lungs?”

“I coughed it out. Don’t be dramatic.”

“You’re my daughter. Drama is my coping mechanism.”

There was a pause.

He stared at her like she was breaking all over again. “What happened this time? What did you see?”

Cassie went quiet.

“Star,”

She exhaled. “I saw him.”

“Who?”

She looked at him, dead serious.

“Voldemort.”

Regulus’s face drained of color. “You saw him- Dark Lord- in your dream?”

She nodded. "And then my mom"

Regulus inhaled sharply. “Valerie again?”

"Yea"

There was a long silence. Too long.

And then—

“Does he know?” Regulus asked

Cassie blinked. “What?”

“Voldemort,” he said, eyes dark. “Does he know about you. "

Cassie just looked away
She didn’t answer.

That was answer enough.

Regulus buried his face in his hands. “Fuck.”

"Yea tell me about it - but it was just a dream - doesn't mean it actually happened"

Regulus looked up at that . “You need to tell me these things.”

“I don’t need to do anything,” Cassie said stiffly, “I’m not a kid.”

“You’re my kid,” Regulus snapped. “You think I want to bury you like I buried everyone else? You think I want to be the last Black left again?”

Cassie stilled.

A beat.

Then—

The door slammed open again, harder this time.

Theo burst in, wand raised, panic on his face. “Cass—fuck, what happened?”

His eyes took in the scene. The blood. The veins. the shattered mirror

“Cass?” he said again .

“I’m fine,” she muttered. “Apparently we’re all having a group meeting in my bedroom now.”

“Fine?” Regulus snapped. “STAR YOU ARE NOT FINE-

Theo rushed over, taking her hand , eyes tracking the fading veins  His voice dropped. “Cass, what is this?”

“It’s nothing.”

“This is not nothing.” He turned her palm up. “This is why you’ve been wearing dueling gloves out of sudden. Isn’t it?”

She didn’t answer.

Theo looked at her. Really looked. “How long has this been happening?”

She winced. “...A bit.”

“A bit?”

“I swear to Merlin, I will glue your magic shut ” Regulus snapped

Theo looked at him. “How do you not know anything about this?”

“I would’ve,” Regulus snapped, “But apparently someone is really good at silencing charms!”

“ You were never supposed to know -It’s nothinng-.” Cassie snapped pulling her wrist back from Theo’s grip

“No, it’s not.” Theo said frustrated . Not angry. Just frustrated in that way only he could be—protective and exasperated and scared shitless all at once. He stood up, gently tipping her chin to get a better look at her nose.

“You’re still bleeding.”

“It’s nothing,” she repeated flatly

Regulus was watching them. Quietly. A strange look in his eyes. He didn’t interrupt.

Cassie should’ve pulled away. Should’ve sneered or rolled her eyes or told Theo to back off like she always did.

She didn’t.

She let him.

Just for a second.

Regulus took that in. Her shaking hands. The way she wasn’t hiding from Theo. The way she let someone see her.

His shoulders relaxed. Only a little. But enough.

Cassie, of course, immediately ruined it.

“Well,” she said, forcing a grin and waving her blood-smeared hand, “on the bright side—at least now we know my internal chaos has a visual aesthetic. Black veins? Very on-brand.”

Regulus turned  “You are not doing that,” he snapped.

Cassie blinked. “Doing what?”

“Deflecting with jokes. Acting like this is normal.”

“It is sort of normal.”

“You triggered six wards in your sleep, nearly blew out the mirror  and woke up looking like someone tried to curse the Dark Mark onto your veins—!”

“That’s… weirdly poetic. I might write that down—”

“Cassiopeia Arcturus Black,” Regulus thundered, “you are leaving for Hogwarts next week and there is no universe in which I let you set foot on that train until we figure this out.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “You’re being so overdramatic.”

“I earned the right to be overdramatic the day I fake-died for this family.”

Theo coughed into his hand. “He’s not wrong.”

“Don’t take his side,” Cassie muttered.

“I’m not,” Theo said quickly, nudging her shoulder. “I’m just saying maybe try not to explode sonething. For Kreacher’s sanity.”

“Unlikely,” Regulus said grimly. “We’re putting her on full magical lockdown until I’m satisfied she won’t wake up and hex the moon.”

Cassie threw her head back. “Oh my god. You two are so dramatic.”

Regulus folded his arms. “And you’re not?”

"Touche"
***************

Cassie didn’t sleep much after that night.

She claimed she did. Swore up and down it was fine. Nothing new. That it’d happened before, and it would pass. She smirked evrytime Regulus tried bringing it up again—told him she’d “survived worse things than dreams” and “wasn’t about to start sobbing into a dream journal like some Hufflepuff poet.”

But Regulus wasn’t stupid. He doubled the wards. Added another protective rune on her bedroom door. Checked in too often, hovering like a  shadow in the hallway with a cup of tea .

By the end of the week, she had to lie outright to get out of the house.

“I’m fine,” she’d told him on the last morning. “Swear on the family tree.”

“You are the family tree,” Regulus muttered . “And that’s exactly why I don’t believe you.”

But eventually—after she swore she’d owl if anything went weird, and Theo backed her up, and—they made it out the door.

Barely.

Outside, the sun was still low  Their trunks were packed. Theo stood by the doorway, coat flung over one shoulder, looking amused as Regulus rattled off a checklist like a panicked mother hen

“Did you pack your dagger?”

“Yes.”

“And the bracelet?”

“Mm-hm.”

“The other dagger?”

“Yes, dad.”

“And your—wait. Did you take the runes book I gave you for protection? The ones from—”

“Yes,” she interrupted, slamming her trunk shut, “and also, breathe.”

Regulus looked like he very much would not be doing that.

Theo watched all of this with a sort of fascinated horror. “Should I come back in twenty minutes?”

“Don’t you dare,” Regulus snapped.

“I was joking—sir.”

Cassie rolled her eyes and yanked her trunk off the floor, but it caught on the uneven wood, and she let out a small grunt of effort. Theo, without a word, reached over and lifted it like it weighed nothing.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“How. Dare. You.”

Theo blinked. “What did I do?”

“You picked it up.”

“Yeah, because it was stuck—”

“You’re calling me weak, Nott. I saw it in your face.”

“I wasn’t even looking at you!”

Cassie yanked her bag back like a feral cat and nearly fell over the shoe rack.

Regulus muttered something about “stubborn daughters” and handed Theo a tin wrapped in black ribbon.

“What’s this?”

“Candy for the train. You’re stuck with my daughter. You deserve a parting gift.”

Theo opened the tin.

Cassie peered over his shoulder. “Is that—are those licorice skulls -my favorite -!” Then her voice snapped. “Wait a bloody minute “You told me we didn’t have those anymore.”

Regulus didn’t even blink. “We didn’t.”

“You said Kreacher melted them in a spite "

“Ah, yes,” he said, waving a hand. “I lied.”

Cassie’s mouth fell open. “You—liar—manipulative, candy-hoarding menace”

“I’m a Black, Star. It’s hereditary.”

“They scream when you bite them,” Regulus added with pride, nudging Theo

Theo, still staring at the candies, muttered, “There is so much wrong with this family.”

“Welcome aboard,” Regulus said dryly.

Cassie cackled and lifted her bag again . “Train’s gonna be boring after this.”

Theo looked at her, then back at Regulus. “This is the part where I realize I’ve made irreversible life choices, isn’t it?”

Cassie grinned. “Too late now, Nott.”

And then they were off, —Regulus sticking his head out the front door “Try not to get expelled this term!”

Cassie shot a grin over her shoulder. “Define ‘expelled.’”

Regulus added, louder, “And if you must hex the pink toad—”

“—Do it somewhere without witnesses!” Cassie and Theo chorused, completely in sync.

Regulus smirked, satisfied.

“Now that’s parenting,” he muttered to himself, watching them disappear down the path.

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

Back to the dungeons had never felt colder.

until of course-

“If it isn’t my favorite death couple.” Blaise Zabini, lounging across the fire like some overgrown cat, looked up with a grin that had absolutely no right to be that annoying (to cassie)

“Honestly,” he went on dramatically, “the chemistry in the air just healed my dry skin. Did you two have a good holiday? Burn anything? Kill anyone?”

"Not really" Cassie said flatly setting her bag down "But you might wanna watch your back. There’s still time.”

She dropped onto the rug in front of the fire, limbs folding

Blaise blinked. “Cheerful as always, Cass.”

Theo walked in just behind her, sleeves rolled up, scarf hanging off one shoulder. He sank down next to her on the floor with a long-suffering sigh. “She’s serious, by the way. I had to physically hold her back from stabbing a third-year who called us a ‘cute couple’ on the train.”

Cassie leaned away from him just slightly, pretending to be offended by how close he was sitting

Blaise raised a brow but decided to ignore it  “Anyway,” Blaise he continued, stretching, “My Christmas was delightful. Mother sent me a new set of Italian silks. And I’m dating a sixth-year Ravenclaw now.”

Cassie blinked. “A sixth-year?”

Pansy came bounding down the stairs  “You had a fling with a sixth-year, Blaise.” she corrected

“Says the girl who’s been crying about her Hufflepuff boyfriend all Christmas,” Blaise shot back.

“What did Tyler do?” Cassie asked instantly, fully turning toward Pansy

Draco, who had appeared right behind pansy sighed. “That’s going to be a dead Hufflepuff, if I know one.”

Pansy threw her hands up. “It wasn’t his fault, technically! He said I was ‘too much for him’—which, I suspect, was code for his parents threatening to disown him if he brought home a Parkinson.”

Theo shot Cassie a look, who muttered, “Coward.”

“Why would they care?” Theo said flatly,

Draco scoffed. “Same reason Lyra left, our grand, death-eater surnames and bloody reputations behind "

“I don't get it ” Cassie said, lifting a brow. “Some people would kill for the right surname.”

“Or kill with it,” Theo muttered under his breath, earning a sly grin from Cassie.

“Anyway,” Blaise interrupted grandly, “back to me. I, unlike all of you tragic disasters am in a serious relationship this time”

“She called you an average kisser” Pansy shot.

“Details,” Blaise waved her off. “We exchanged poetry.”

“You stole her quill and left her a limerick about your abs,” Draco said flatly.

“It was tasteful,”

“Oh, by the way,” Pansy added with a groan, flopping on the rug beside Cassie, “did you see the next Hogsmeade visit is on Valentine’s?”

A collective groan rippled through the room.

“No,” Draco muttered. “That’s tragic.”

Theo turned to Cassie, already halfway into a question. “Do you want to—”

“—Vandalize Madam Puddifoot’s and spike the couples’ drinks?” Cassie cut in,

Theo blinked. “Not what I was going to say but… sure.”

“I’m making poison,” Pansy declared, “for Tyler. A little heartbreak potion. With actual venom.”

Blaise clapped a hand to his heart. “Gods, I missed this group.”

“Even we wanna join that Valentine plan,” Draco said, kicking his feet up.

Theo raised a brow. “What, the couples’ sabotage plan?”

“Way to spoil our romantic surprise,” he added , deadpan.

Cassie leaned back against the hearth, smirking as the room buzzed with chaotic laughter and overlapping conversation planning to ruin half the castles valentines — their own little storm brewing in the dungeons.

By the time they started peeling off to their dorms, the tone had shifted just slightly. The way it always did when something wasn’t quite right in the air, though none of them could name it yet.

Cassie rubbed her head, slightly throbbing, as she finally collapsed back onto her bed. Nyx hissed softly from her enclosure, blinking her yellow eyes as if she knew something was coming.

Tomorrow would bring headlines.

But for now, they were just Slytherin — loud, toxic, misunderstood, but still them.

Still home.

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

The next morning hit different.

It wasn’t the cold — though the dungeons were brutal, and Cassie’s boots were still half-frozen from the night before. It wasn’t the usual groaning and muttering of post-holiday returnees either.

It was the silence.

that was The first sign that something was off

Slytherin table was almost never quiet. Not really. Even on their worst days, there was always the hum — cutlery, low muttering, Draco’s drawl, Pansy’s complaints, Blaise’s lame jokes . That morning, it was… wrong..

Too quiet.

Cassie felt it before her brain caught up.  Hogwarts Great Hall buzzed, but not normally —  Not with the usual chatter and laughter. Instead, students whispered . Heads turned and turned back when they walked in.

And every gaze — every single one — snapped toward the Slytherin table.

They walked in together, like they always did,  Blaise, Draco, Pansy, Theo, Cassie.

It was only a second. That moment of attention. But it was sharp

Accusatory.

Judging.

And more afraid than usual.

"Why do I feel like we all got invited to a murder trial and forgot to dress up?" Blaise muttered, adjusting his collar like it itched.

"Feels like they’re waiting for us to confess," Cassie commented darkly, fingers twitching.

Pansy narrowed her eyes at the Ravenclaw table. “Someone want to tell me why they’re staring like I strangled a kitten?”

Cassie sat down stiff and Draco slid onto the bench beside her, muttering under his breath. “Something’s wrong.”

Theo sat across from her, already reaching for the paper nearest him.

Cassie followed the movement,

The front page was a sea of black-and-white faces — gaunt, sneering, jeering — and a single, bold headline:

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN

Ministry Fears Black is Rallying Point for other death eaters

The breath caught in her throat.

Theo didn’t blink.

Pansy leaned in over Cassie’s shoulder. “What the—”

Her voice dropped out.

Cassie barely registered Blaise swearing beside her.

The article listed ten escapees, each more familiar than she wanted them to be.  Antonin Dolohov. Augustus Rookwood. Rudolphus Rabastan.

And at the center of the page—

Bellatrix Lestrange.

Cassie’s breath hitched.

That face. That smirk. Those eyes. Her eyes. Everyone had always said—

Cassiopeia Arcturus Black looked just like her aunt.

Her stomach turned.

But her eyes were on Theo again before she even realized it.

He was frozen.

Absolutely motionless.

His father’s name was halfway down the list, scrawled

Thomas Nott – multiple counts of Unforgivable Curses, confirmed murders of Muggleborns,  3 unidentified aurors  . confirmed Ministry traitor, and known fugitives. Considered extremely dangerous.

His jaw tightened.

Harder.

His knuckles were white where they gripped the table.

Draco slammed the Propher down. “Bloody hell. Why is everyone looking at us like we gave them the fucking keys?”

Cassie didn’t answer. No one did.

Around them, the stares had started—shuffling, hissing from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, heads turned just slightly. Faces half-curious, half-horrified. No one was subtle. No one cared.

Blaise tried to brush it off, voice loud and theatrical. “Maybe they think we’re proud. Maybe we should throw a party—Bring Your Favorite Mass Murderer to Brunch.”

Pansy rolled her eyes. “You’re not helping.”

“Oh, forgive me,” Blaise said, twisting around in his seat to glare at a fourth-year who was openly staring. “Did you want a formal invitation to the death eater family reunion? Or are you just enjoying the view?”

The fourth-year looked away fast.

But the tension didn’t break.

Cassie hadn’t looked away from Theo.

He hadn’t spoken once. He hadn’t even blinked.

His hands were clenched on the edge of his plate. Not in fists—just flat. Just holding. His jaw was twitching, a little tic that only she knew meant he was either about to snap or spiral. His food sat untouched in front of him,

Cassie leaned forward slightly. “Theo…”

He didn’t react.

Draco scowled. “This is fucking insane. What, we’re responsible now for who our parents are? Next time someone gets murdered, should I just hand in my bloody wand and wait in Azkaban?”

“They think we’re the next generation,” Pansy muttered. “Little Death Eaters in training.”

Theo still hadn’t moved.

Cassie was about to reach for his hand under the table when he finally spoke— flat.

“I’m not hungry.”

Then he stood.

The bench scraped loudly across the floor.

Theo didn’t look at anyone as he turned. His footsteps echoed too, and by the time he reached the doors, half the Hall was watching.

Cassie tracked him the entire way

He didn’t look back.

“Cass,” Pansy nudgedd her

Cassie was already standing.

Blaise looked between them. “Is he okay?”

“No,” Cassie said simply. “But he will be.”

She was already gone.

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

She knew where he’d be.

Not even a question.

The wall across from the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy shifted before she reached it—it opened for her like it had been waiting.

The Room of Requirement knew, too.
Because once, back in third year, they’d come here

Cassie had snarled something about needing a place where the rest of the world didn’t exist. Theo had only said, “Somewhere with stars.”

And the room had given them this.

A place where it was always night.
Where the ceiling stretched endlessly into a velvet-black sky, constellations glowing  Where the floor was soft, and the fire never went out, and silence didn’t feel lonely

Of course he’d come here.
This room had always known when they needed to fall apart.

By the time she stepped inside, Theo stood near the far end, rigid and unreadable, framed by the glow of starlight. He didn’t turn when she entered.

Cassie didn’t speak.

She didn’t have to.

She just walked until she was next to him, close enough to feel the heat of him, close enough that he didn’t have to ask for anything—because he wouldn’t.

Theo stared up at the stars like they might offer a reason. Like they might answer for the man who’d broken out of Azkaban this morning

silence,

She always said he’d come back,” Theo murmured finally

"Your Grandmother?"

Theo nodded, barely. “She used to tell me, when I was little, ‘Your father is where he belongs. But if he comes back… it means the world is ending.’” He laughed, once. Flat. “And now he’s back.”

Cassie swallowed but didn’t interrupt. 

Theo still wasn’t looking at her.

“I thought I’d be angry,” he said. “But I’m not. I’m—fuck. I don’t know what I am.”

“Scared,” Cassie said softly.

Silence.

Then, almost too quiet,

“Maybe.”

She took another step closer. “You don’t have to be.”

His head tipped slightly, like he was about to speak, but didn’t. Instead, he just looked up. Stars shimmered across his face. He looked exhausted.

Cassie reached up and touched his cheek.

Just once.

That’s all it took  He turned, sharply, and buried his face in her neck like he was trying not to break.

Cassie froze.

Her arms hovered for a beat—uncertain, caught mid-air.

What do I do now, she thought blankly.

But Theo’s breathing was ragged. His hands had curled into her sleeves like she was the only solid thing left in the world.

So she did the one thing she could think of: she wrapped her arms around him—awkward at first, a little too tight, like she was used to grappling, not comforting. But she didn’t let go.

She stood there. Silent. It wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t gentle.

But it was Cassie.

And slowly, breath by breath, Theo sank into her like he’d found home.

They stayed like this for a minute

“You’re not him,” she murmured eventually.

Theo didn’t move. But after a second, he pulled back just enough to look at her.

“I look like him.”

“You look like you.” She leaned in, \“And you’re mine.”

Theo blinked, startled, a breath of laughter tumbling from his lips before he could catch it.

“That a claim, Black?”

“That a problem, Nott?”

He didn’t answer.

Just kissed her—hard, like he needed to, like he’d been slipping off the edge of something and she was the only thing holding him \.

When they finally broke apart, they collapsed onto the velvet floor  Shoulders brushing. Legs tangled. Her head resting lightly against his shoulder now.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Theo’s voice came again - rougher. “He’ll come back for me.”

Cassie didn’t lift her head. “Let him.”

“You don’t get it—”

She did, actually. She just didn’t care.

“He’s my father,” Theo said. “He will think I belong to him. Like I’m a second chance. Like I’m supposed to finish what he started.”

Cassie looked up, eyes narrowed. “Then he’ll find me first.”

He shook his head. “That’s not how this works.”

Her voice sharpened. “Oh? Enlighten me.”

Theo didn’t respond right away. His hand slid across the rug, searching for hers. Found it. Held it.

“I want him dead,” he said at last. “I want them all dead, Cass. Every single one that crawled out of that prison."

“And you think I don’t?” she Shot her voice turning cold before she realized. “I would raze the prison that spat them back out. I would watch it burn to ash. I would hunt each one of them down - kill them, For you.”.

Theo looked at her.

Really looked.

And there she was.

Cassiopeia Arcturus Black. Not delicate. Not soft. But terrifying in love

She didn’t say I love you. She said I’ll kill for you.

And maybe that was worse. Or better. Or just them.

Okay,” he said after a beat. “Yeah. That tracks.”

Her mouth twitched into a smirk

“Maybe that was too much” she muttered, looking away.

Theo shook his head. “It wasn’t.”

“I would too,” he continued. “I’d kill them all if it meant keeping you safe.”

Cassie looked up at him her expression unreadable

“You won’t have to meet him,” Theo added, firmer now. “I won’t let him near you.”

She didn’t argue , just exhaled, long and slow.

Theo reached into his jacket pocket and pulled something out—creased, The Daily Prophet.

He unfolded it between them.

Ten faces stared out. Cold. Blank. Alive.

They both looked at it like it might start screaming.

Silence dragged.

Cassie’s fingers traced one of the photos without really meaning to.

Bellatrix Lestrange.

Her face stared up from the Daily Prophet, . Wild hair framed her  Her lips curled in a smile that didn’t look like it belonged to someone sane, but someone holy. A manic saint of war.

Cassie couldn't look away.

There was something raw in that madness. Something honest. Bellatrix didn’t care what they thought of her. She wasn’t hiding. She wasn’t softening. She wasn’t holding herself smaller so the world could feel safer.

She was rage, and worship, and ruin.

Cassie’s thumb hovered near the edge of the page, dragging a little as her breath slowed. The fire behind her crackled like it could sense the shift in her thoughts. Her spine straightened. Her jaw slackened just slightly.

Because maybe Bellatrix was what happened when you stopped trying to be acceptable. When you stopped trying to deserve love. When you just took power and dared anyone to stop you.

Cassie didn’t notice the starlight glinting off her eyes. Didn’t see her own expression start to harden into something that wasn’t quite hers.

But Theo did.

“Cass.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it landed like a slap.

Cassie blinked. Her eyes flicked up. He was already watching her—forehead furrowed, lips tight, something knowing in his stare.

“I know that look,”

She didn’t answer.

“Don’t,” Theo added, quieter now.  “Don’t go there.”

Cassie tilted her head, still halfway in the dark gravity of it. “Don’t go where?”

“You’re thinking about her. About becoming her.”

She didn’t deny it.

“I’m not—” she started.

Theo didn’t let her finish. “She’s gone, Cass.”

Cassie’s eyes narrowed. “She looks like she’s not scared of anything.”

“She is,” Theo said immediately. “She’s just buried it. And in the process she buried everything else. She’s hollow. A ghost in a pretty corpse.”

Cassie looked back down at the paper. “She’s… free.”

“No,” Theo said. “She’s unhinged.”

“Same difference,” she muttered under her breath.

Theo moved closer. Slowly. Carefully. Like she might snap if he got too fast.

“She’s not what you want to be,” he said, softer now. “You think she’s power? She’s what happens when someone like you forgets why they started fighting.”

Cassie didn’t look at him. “You’re saying I’m like her.”

Theo reached forward and took the paper from her. Tossed it toward the fire, where it caught flame instantly.

“I’m saying you’re not.”

“I’ve got her blood.”

“You’ve also got mine under your nails most days,” he said. “That doesn’t make you me.”

Cassie’s mouth quirked. “You’re saying I could be worse.”

Theo shrugged. “Oh, definitely. But you haven’t even come close yet.”

She gave him a slow smile. “Should I be offended or impressed?”

“Depends,” Theo said. “Are you still thinking about becoming the next Bellatrix?”

Cassie hesitated, then shook her head

“No,” she said, more to him than herself . “She doesn’t feel things anymore.”

“And you do,” he said, tugging her toward him by the hem of her sleeve. “Even when you pretend not to.”

“Pretend’s half the fun,” Cassie muttered.

Theo leaned in close, eyes still locked on hers. “You’re not like her.”

Cassie raised a brow. “You sure?”

Theo’s grin was slow, but it curled wicked. “Bellatrix would never let me do this—”

He kissed her. Brief but rough. And when he pulled back, Cassie looked a little stunned, but mostly smug.

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” she said lazily. “You’ve done a lot of things.”

Theo pretended to think. “True. Might need to make a list. Cross-reference it. Maybe gather some repeat data.”

She laughed—. “You’re such a nerd.”

“And you’re not turning into a murder maniac today,” he said, tapping her nose. “So we’re both winning.”

Cassie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t pull away before deflecting the topic “Do we still have to go to class today?”

Theo groaned, his voice muffled as he lay flat on the velvet floor. “Do we have to?”

She shrugged. “I don’t exactly fancy hearing the pink toad croak at me for not showing up. Nor do I fancy a detention on the first day back.”

Theo sat up with a sigh. “Fair.”

He raked a hand through his hair, already regretting moving. “What class do we have?”

“Technically, I think we’re very late for Transfiguration,” Cassie said, “Next is Charms, I think.”

Theo scowled. “I don’t fancy facing corridors right now.”

Cassie smirked, sitting up tightening her boot laces and adjusting her dagger “Maybe people will be nice.”

He raised an eyebrow.

She stood, brushing herself off  “You know. Respectful. Quiet. Discreet.”

Theo snorted. “You’re describing Hufflepuff if they are shit scared . The rest of this school would rather die.”

Cassie’s grin widened, "Then let’s go make their day worse.”

Theo offered his hand.

She didn’t hesitate.

They left the Room of Requirement together—back into a castle that suddenly felt too loud, too awake, too full of people who knew

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

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

They hadn’t even made it to Charms.

People stared.

Some turned away too quickly.

Others whispered a little too loud.

But no one said anything to their faces.

Not when Cassiopeia Black was walking beside Theo Nott, looking like she hadn’t slept and didn’t need to—sharp-eyed, dagger-wired, like she wanted someone to test her. Her stare alone silenced half the hallway.

“Quiet,” Theo muttered under his breath.

“Annoying quiet,” Cassie replied, flexing her fingers like she was holding back an itch to hex. “They’ll get brave in about five more seconds.”

And of course—

"You walk around like you’re not the son of a fucking murderer.”

Theo didn’t flinch. He didn’t slow. Just stared straight ahead like the words were for someone else.

The speaker was a tall Gryffindor, red-faced . Elias Ward. Sixth year. His name clicked something in Cassie's memory. His mother—Clara Ward—Auror. Killed during the first war. Killed by Thomas Nott.

Cassie knew who he was. She didn’t say it.

Theo kept walking.

“You even think about what he did?” Elias snapped. “Families like mine? Or are you too busy screwing her to give a damn?”

Theo’s jaw tensed. That was it. That was all.

But Cassie stopped.

Elias wasn’t done.

“Guess murdering runs in the family,” he spat. “Maybe you’ll finish what your dad started. What did he get this time? A Hufflepuff? A kid?”

Cassie turned.

Walked straight back.

Theo didn’t try to stop her.

“What did you say?” she asked, voice low.

Elias tilted his head mockingly. “Sorry. He’s your boyfriend now, right? Must be fun—snogging the son of a Death Eater while reading about how his dad tortured half the bloody country—”

Cassie punched him in the face.

No dagger. No spell. Just knuckles meeting bone with a sickening crack. Blood burst from his nose instantly.

Elias stumbled back, clutching his nose. “Fucking psycho!”

He struck back—bigger, stronger—shoving her hard into the stone wall. Her shoulder slammed. She staggered hair falling loose over her face.

Theo stepped forward so fast, so suddenly, it was like a leash had snapped.

His fist was already half-raised.

“Don’t you fucking touch her—”

Cassie just lifted one hand—stopping him .Then she straightened.

Grinning.

Like she liked it .Like that was a permission for what she was gonna do next.

And that was when she reached under her cloak.

And pulled the dagger

Elias saw the glint. Tried to grab for her again.

But she was faster.

Cassie ducked beneath his arm, pivoted, and slammed her shoulder into his ribs

They hit the floor hard.

Elias gasped as the wind left him. Cassie was already on him, knees braced on either side of his chest, the dagger pressed to his throat.

Her hair hung in her face like a her smile cutting straight through it.

You want to talk about murder?” she spat. “I’ll show you murder.”

“Cass,” Theo warned behind her.

Elias writhed beneath her, blood still leaking from his nose. He tried to shove her off again. That was when she pressed the dagger down.

Hard.

It sliced skin.

A thin red line bloomed just under his jaw.

“Go on, then,” he still spat, nose red from where she’d cracked his face earlier. “Do it. Prove the whole castle right. You’re already halfway to Azkaban, might as well make it a straight line—”

Her blade slipped slightly. Not deeper. Just sharper. Enough to make his breath shudder.

“You talk too much,” Cassie murmured.

He laughed—short, broken, but still trying to win. “You think people don’t see it?  I see it. That look in your eyes—pure fucking madness.”

Cassie’s hand trembled.

Not from hesitation. From control.

From how badly she wanted to let go.

Elias’s pupils contracted.

Behind her, Theo moved— “Cass,” he said softly. “Cass, that’s enough.”

But she didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

Until Elias said  “You’re mental. Another Black unravelling. Give it a year—she’ll be locked up where her aunt was. Or worse…”
His eyes darted past her. Straight to Theo.
“Married to him.”

Cassie froze.Then—smiled, sharp —

“Do you want to die?” she asked.

The blood trailed further down Elias’s throat now, staining his collar.

And that was when Theo stepped in—real, this time.

His hand caught her wrist.

His voice, low and firm “Cassie. That’s enough.”

She didn’t look at him.

Her eyes were still locked on Elias like a curse.

"Cass please"

Her eyes flicked to Theo—and only him.

It took three seconds. Then two more.

Then she let go ,her  grip shook once. Then, finally, she shifted her weight off him, slipping the dagger back into her coat in one fluid motion like it had never been drawn at all.

But the blood said otherwise.

Elias coughed, dragging air into his lungs, frozen to the floor.

And then—

“Miss Black. Mr. Nott.”

Snape’s voice rang out behind them.

Cassie didn’t even flinch while Theo closed his eyes briefly.

Snape stepped into view, his expression unreadable—but his gaze landed squarely on the thin line of red down Elias’s throat. Then on Cassie’s perfectly still form. Then on Theo’s hand still loosely around her wrist.

“Hospital Wing, Mr. Ward,” Snape said sharply. “Before I dock points for bleeding on the floor.”

Elias scrambled up, saying nothing.

“And you two,” Snape turned to them  “detention. Tonight. Eight. If either of you draw a blade or a wand again on school grounds—”

“You’ll expel us?” Cassie drawled, tying her hair messily, lip curled. “Do it.”

Snape’s eyes narrowed.

“Don't test Me Black”

"You'd lose snivellus"

Snape eyes narrowed and he turned with a furious sweep of his robes and stalked off,

The crowd didn’t move.

Not until Cassie turned to them “Anyone else?” she said coolly, loud enough for the whole hallway to hear. “Got something to say? Want to die screaming? No?”

She raised an eyebrow.

The crowd flinched. And scattered.

“You always get in the way,” she muttered, tucking a strand behind her ear. Her voice wasn’t angry. Just amused.

Theo raised an eyebrow . “You were about to take his throat out.”

“And?”

“I like your murder plans. I’d just prefer if you didn’t carry them out in front of half the school.”

Cassie snorted, . “You gonna stop me next time too?”

“If I must,” Theo said, low. “Though I’d rather redirect.”

Her eyes flicked to his, unreadable. “You sound like a control freak.”

He leaned in, close enough that only she could hear: “And you sound like a woman who wants to be held down.”

Cassie f didn't miss a beat , she smirked back.  “And you sound like a man who’d beg to be choked.”

Theo blinked—once. Then let out a low, audible groan “You can’t just say things like that in a corridor and not expect me to—”

“I just did,” Cassie said sweetly. She turned on her heel, cloak swishing behind her. “And I’m walking away.”

Theo stared after her 

She didn’t look back.

Didn’t need to.

She already knew he was following.

And that he always would.

“Can’t wait for detention,” he murmured, falling into step beside her.

Cassie tilted her head and grinned. “Me neither - we'll make it one that' snape never forgets”

Theo gave a sarcastic bow. “As you say, mon amour.”

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

bonus - detention with snape

Eight o’clock sharp, the dungeons.

Snape was already seated behind his desk,  His eyes lifted slowly, hatefully, as Cassie and Theo strolled in—late, of course. Together, of course

Cassie looked like she’d dressed for a funeral. Probably his. All black. Hair tied up in a messy twist  Theo had rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and was chewing something. He didn’t spit it out. Just winked.

Snape didn’t even greet them.

“Sit. Opposite ends.”

Cassie immediately dragged her chair next to Theo’s.

Snape didn’t blink. “I said—”

“We don’t work well apart,” Theo said smoothly, draping one arm over the back of Cassie’s chair. “Team building, sir.”

Snape looked like he aged a decade in four seconds.

He stalked over and shfted Theo's chair to the opposite corner with a flick of his wand.

Theo gave a slow, theatrical gasp. “You’ve separated us.”

Cassie leaned back in her chair, legs kicked up on the desk, and grinned  “This feels personal, Professor.”

“You will clean every cauldron in this room,” Snape bit out. “Thoroughly. Without magic.”

Theo raised a hand. “Do we get to pick partners—”

“No.”

Snape snapped his wand toward the cabinets. The cauldrons came floating out

Cassie stood. Slowly.

And crossed the room directly to Theo.

Snape didn’t even look up this time. Just pointed his wand and bam, they were yanked apart again like misbehaving magnets.

Cassie groaned. “God, fine.”

Theo smirked, grabbing a rag "We’re very well behaved when we want to be."

Cassie muttered, “We just never want to be.”

Thirty minutes in, they had somehow cleaned exactly one cauldron between them.

Mostly because they kept finding ways to sabotage Snape’s patience.

Theo coughed and ‘accidentally’ bumped her shoulder every time she passed.

Cassie dropped a brush in his bucket

Theo leaned across the room just to whisper, “You’ve got ink on your neck.”

“Oh no,” Cassie deadpanned, glancing down her shirt. “Better check if it’s fatal.”

Snape had his head in his hands by then.

By the time he made his third round, he found Theo leaning over Cassie’s shoulder with a rag, murmuring something that made her smirk

Snape’s eye twitched.

“Mr. Nott. If I see you breathe in Miss Black’s direction again, I will assign you double.”

Theo leaned back and drawled, “Bit harsh for a simple breath, sir. Are you always this romantic?”

Cassie muttered, “He’s single. Don’t scare him.”

Snape slammed a cauldron down so hard the entire table rattled. “Separate stations. Now.”

They switched places.

Theo made sure to brush past her waist as he walked.

Cassie definitely whispered something vile in his ear.

Snape glared at the ceiling like he was trying to summon death itself.

By the end of the hour, they had cleaned four cauldrons. Technically.

Snape stood, robes snapping, and stalked past them  “You are both impossible.”

Cassie looked innocent. “We tried. You wouldn’t let us work together.”

"Not another word Miss Black"

"Alright snivellus chill"

True to their word . They hadn't spoken in ten minutes.

But they’d said plenty.

Cassie tapped her fingers against the wood— like a rhythm only he would notice.

Theo mirrored it with the flat side of a cleaning brush.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Snape didn’t even lift his eyes from the papers he was marking. “Miss Black.”

Cassie didn’t look up. “Hmm?”

“If you touch Mr. Nott again, I will make you polish every vial in the Potions archive.”

Cassie blinked, all faux-innocence. “I didn’t touch him.”

Theo, without missing a beat: “She did, with her mind,” he added helpfully.

Snape slowly set down his quill. “She’s been doing it for the past ten minutes.”

Theo smirked. Cassie threw  a rag at him

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is not—” He paused. “This is not a social hour. This is detention.”

“You gave us the same detention,” Cassie muttered, flicking a bit of grime from her sleeve. “That’s on you.”

“I assumed you’d both be capable of basic maturity.”

Theo raised his eyebrows. “With her in the room?”

“He’s not wrong.”

Snape stood slowly, as though fighting the physical urge to hex them. “I should have sent you both to McGonagall.”

Cassie sighed. “She thinks I’m charming.”

“She thinks you’re a war crime waiting to happen darling” Theo offered

“Tomato, potato.”

“You two are banned,” Snape snapped finally “Permanently banned from joint detentions.”

Cassie and Theo, as one:

“Aww.”

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

hey yall-

This chapter is so messy but this is exactly how I have been feeling

I'm stuck in this constant loop of what's happening to me -

Nothing bad physically
But

Mentally?

I dunno - I just don't feel like doing anything - but I still wanna write - which makes my writing extremely slow

might be related to teh fact my college is starting today

Might not

I just don't feel good

But I hope u do !!! Cos I realised I'm making this chap too much - for one chapter and decided to add a fun part in the start and the end (originally it would have started with the breakout and more and more of them both unraveling but that just didn't fit)

looking forward to reading what u guys think - I'll finally be xcited about something other than sleeping or just staring at the rain

(sorry for my depressing rant - love y'll Sm)

Till next time

Mxriddle