The Slytherin common room felt like it had been stuck in a loop.

Most of the usual noise—had vanished days ago. A few students sat huddled near the fire, eyes distant, no one saying much. Blaise had a book open in front of him he hadn't turned a page in hours. Pansy was sitting with her knees pulled up , arms around them. Draco hadn't moved from the armchair all evening, just staring into the fire

The silence was starting to feel permanent.

Until—

"Guess who's back, bitches."

The whole room went still.

Because—

Cassiopeia Black.

Cassiopeia Black. Alive. On her feet. Leaning slightly to one side but still wearing that unmistakable smirk that screamed she was about to ruin someone's life just for fun. Theo stood just behind her, looking like he'd had approximately two hours of sleep , but also smug as hell.

Blaise dropped his book.

Pansy blinked.

Draco, snapped his head around so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.

They all saw her.

The silence cracked.

Draco launched across the room so fast it was a blur—He slammed into her — arms wrapped tight — like he was trying to convince himself she was real.

Cassie winced.

"Right, disclaimer - Dray- my back literally just finished knitting itself together, so maybe—"

Draco sprang back. "Shit, sorry, Cass—Merlin—I thought—"

"You didn't think," Pansy snapped, standing up. Her voice was trembling slightly, even if her eyeliner was still perfect. "Fucking hell, Cass. Don't do it again."

"Do what?" Cassie said innocently, leaning against the nearest chair for support.

"Try and fucking die," Blaise muttered  "It's very dramatic. Even for you."

Cassie gave him a sideways grin. "Says the guy who stopped speaking for three straight days."

"That was called grief," Blaise said dryly, crossing his arms. "You're lucky I didn't curse half the school"

Pansy rolled her eyes and shoved him aside to get closer. "You should've seen Draco. He threw up when we heard. In a planted pot."

Draco scowled. "I didn't throw up—"

"You did," Blaise cut in. "It was tragic. Snape had to walk away."

Cassie chuckled, and it came out softer than usual. Less snark. More tired relief. "Gods, I missed you freaks."

Pansy reached forward and fixed a loose curl behind Cassie's ear. "You scared the absolute shit out of us."

"Yeah, well." Cassie smirked, but her voice cracked just a little. "You should've seen the other guys."

No one laughed at that. Not really.

There was too much truth in it.

They all just stood there, eyes wide and glassy, like they didn't quite believe she was real.

Cassie looked around the room—at her people.

She had no idea how long this peace would last. The world was burning, and they were all walking the rope above it. But for a moment, right now, this was enough.

"Cassie," Pansy said suddenly= "You're not allowed to fall apart, like this, again, okay? If you break... the rest of us won't stand a chance."

Cassie smiled. Not her usual grin. Not the smirk. Just something real. "I won't," she said.

Draco wiped at his face quickly, but not quick enough.

Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Wait a minute—was that... was that a tear? Merlin, is the great Malfoy prince crying? What are you now, a bloody Hufflepuff?"

Draco recoiled as if slapped. "I am not—shut up, Cass—" He fumbled inside his robe pocket with a dramatic scoff like he didnt care and pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of parchment. "This is what I woke up to. This. What the fuck did you expect me to do?"

Cassie took the parchment. Recognized Narcissa's elegant, looping handwriting immediately.

Draco,
Your father has been taken. Azkaban.
Cassiopeia is at St. Mungo's—critical condition.
Do not do anything foolish. Do not speak to anyone.
Stay safe. 
—Mother

"Oh" Cassie stared at it. "Dray..." she muttered. "I'm sorry."

Draco just shrugged, blinking fast again. "At least you're alive."

That seemed to be enough.

Pansy clapped her hands suddenly like she was cutting through a funeral. "Okay, enough sad shit. Cass is back. Let's go back to being horrible again."

 "God, I missed our collective trauma-bonding." Blaise said and ruffled Draco's hair violently. "Group trauma circle or what?"

"Don't touch me," Draco muttered, batting him away.

Just as the laughter started to swell again, a tiny first-year approached their circle cautiously like she was approaching a den of wolves.

"Uhm—sorry—Professor Snape told me to give this to... Cassiopeia Black?"

Cassie arched a brow and took the sealed note from the girl, who immediately fled like her life depended on it.

She opened it, read the short scrawl, and sighed.

"Uh-oh," Blaise muttered. "That face means bad things."

Cassie turned to the others. "Nothing Much Dumbly dumb wants to see me."

"Alone?" Theo asked instantly.

"Obviously."

"I'm coming with you."

"We're all coming with you," Pansy added like it was obvious.

Cassie pinched the bridge of her nose. "You know I'm probably being called in to get expelled, not invited to a bloody tea party, right?"

"Cool," Blaise said. "We'll bring the scones."

"No, you wont." Cassie said turning towards the door

Draco scoffed. "You don't get to be dramatic and mysterious AGAIN and not let us follow—"

Cassie turned, slowly. "You'll wait for me," she said with finality . "In the Entrance Hall."

Pansy opened her mouth to argue. 

"That's final," Cassie said limping towards the door

"Ugh Fine," Pansy muttered.

"I don't like this," Draco added.

Cassie grinned "Good. That means I'm still in charge."

She reached for the door.

But—

"Wait a sec," Theo said, stepping up beside her. "I'll come with you."

Cassie stopped. Glanced over her shoulder.

She didn't say anything at first—just gave him this long look, like she was deciding whether to argue or not.

She didn't.

They walked together down the corridor, side by side. No talking. Just the sound of their footsteps echoing. It wasn't that long a walk, but it felt like it stretched forever. Theo fell into step beside her. She winced slightly, her limp more obvious now.

"You don't have to do this alone," he murmured.

"I do," she said.

"No, you want to. That's different."

She stopped in front of the gargoyle.

"Please," she said "Nott."

"You sure you don't want me in there?" 

Cassie didn't look at him. "I can handle him."

Theo pouted—just a little. "Fine. But yell if he tries anything. Or says something weird."

Cassie scoffed. "And if you hear him yell, ignore it."

Theo cracked the tiniest grin, then leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I'm right here."

The gargoyle slid aside with a low rumble.

Cassie exhaled once, squared her shoulders.

Then she stepped inside.

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

The door creaked open.

Cassiopeia Black walked in like she wasn't fourty- eight hours out of a hospital bed. Her boots clicked against the stone floor. Her coat fluttered behind her 

Dumbledore didn't look up right away.

He stood by the window, hands folded behind his back, gazing out at the sky  answers.

Cassie glanced around the room. Same old nonsense: spindly instruments buzzing, a phoenix preening with melodrama, shelves crammed with memories 

"Sup, Dumbly," Cassie said coolly, dropping into the chair across from his desk. She propped a boot on the polished wood, not bothering to hide the dried blood still crusted near the heel. "What's up?"

Dumbledore turned slowly.

"Miss Black," he said with that maddening calm. "A full recovery, I hear?"

"Good as new," she replied. "Shiny spine. Glowing reviews."

His eyes flicked briefly to the boot on his desk. He didn't comment.

"While clearing the aftermath at the Department of Mysteries," he began slowly, "two Death Eaters were found. Dead."

Cassie blinked at him, faux innocence. "Oh no," she whispered, hand over her heart. "Anyway."

His gaze didn't waver. "They were not merely killed, Miss Black. They were executed. Brutally. One's heart was pierced. The other—" He hesitated. "What could hardly be identified."

She met his stare head-on.

"And?"

"The press is asking questions. So is the Ministry."

"What's there to ask me, Dumbly? Tell them I gutted them "Cassie said sweetly,  "like pigs."

Dumbledore's jaw tightened. "We do not kill," he said. Cold. 

"We?" she echoed. "We?"

Then she laughed.

Laughed.

The sound echoed through the room .

" You don't kill," she corrected. "I never agreed to that. Dumbledore. I am not part of your little cult of moral superiority."

"There is a difference between defense and execution."

"They made their choices," she said leaning forward " I made mine. You want me to let murderers live. People who would've killed children, who would've killed me. Who did nearly kill me. You want me to show them mercy so you can feel good about your legacy."

"This is not about my legacy—"

"Oh really?"

"We kill, Miss Black, and we become them."

"No," she snapped, "we kill, and we survive. You want people to die beautifully. I want them to live ugly and alive."

He walked slowly around his desk before settling right in front of her . "Lines must be drawn."

"Says the man who stepped over every one of them." She snarled "You speak of morality. Let's talk about yours."

His eyes darkened. "You tread dangerously close to arrogance."

"No, I tread close to truth," she said, stepping forward.

There was a silence

"Where were your morals when you killed your own sister?"

The room dropped several degrees.

Even the phoenix in the corner stilled.

Dumbledore didn't move. Didn't flinch.

Cassie leaned forward, voice softening—but only in tone. The words were daggers.

"Where was your morality when you chose Grindelwald's dream of domination over your family's safety? Don't lecture me on restraint. You built this war. And then you ran from it."

Dumbledore's mouth opened slightly. The mask of serenity cracked just enough.

"You let the most dangerous man in the world entice you. Grindelwald. You let him dream of death with you. You wanted it too. Don't deny it."

His eyes, so often twinkling suddenly looked hollow.

"And then when it all went too far—when your sister was dead and your lover was more powerful than you—you did what every scared man does. You turned around and called yourself a hero. You hid. In a school. Behind children."

Dumbledore was silent. But his knuckles were white against the desk.

"You were them, Dumbledore. Until it got hard. Then you decided it was easier to bury your sins and betray your lover to win the world's applause.

There it was. His mask cracked. Just slightly. But enough.

Cassie saw it—and pressed harder. "Was it worth it? Playing with power? Playing God? Teaming up with Grindelwald, dreaming of a 'greater good'—until it got inconvenient?"

He stood sharply. "You are dangerously close to forgetting who you speak to."

But Cassie grinned. Her voice lowered "No. I think for the first time, I'm finally seeing who I'm speaking to."

She smiled "Must've been easier, right? Pretending to be the hero. Pretending the love of your life was just another mistake to clean up."

Dumbledore's face twisted—rage? pain? shame flickering slightly under his expression.

Cassie watched it happen. Watched the great Albus Dumbledore finally lose that precious control.

"Finally showing what you actually feel, huh, Dumbly?"

 "I have saved this world," he snapped, his gaze cutting into her. "Not once. Twice. Do not forget that."

Cassie tilted her head, lips twitching  in amusement "Did you now?" she said. "Huh."

A pause.

"Looks like you conveniently forgot to mention that you were also the reason it needed saving in the first place."

Her voice dropped "You are raising a boy into a weapon. You are letting Voldemort rise again because you thought maybe this time you'd get it right."

"Miss Black," he warned

 "You're not a hero, Dumbledore. You're just a man who lit the fire, then stood back and told everyone it was a sacrifice."

That was it.

His hands slammed onto the desk " You think I wanted this war?" he snapped. "You think I wanted  blood on my hands?"

"Seems like you got real good at washing it off," she said darkly. "Especially when it was your sister's."," 

 "You know nothing of sacrifice" He spat  "You are just a child "

"I know what it's like to bleed for people who never asked for it" 

She laughed, but it sounded more like a breathless ache. 

"And I also know what it's like to stare down a monster and realize the man who was meant to stop him is too busy trying to win a moral debate."

He stared at her.

She stared back. 

Dumbledore's fingers curled around the edge of his desk "I think this conversation is over," he said tightly

Cassie didn't flinch. Just slowly pushed back from the chair and stood. "Don't worry," she said, flicking imaginary dusct from her sleeve. "I've got what I came for."

"And what's that, exactly?" he bit out.

She gave him a smile "Satisfaction," she said sweetly. "Of watching that perfect saviour mask of yours crack."

Then she turned fully, opened the door.

And didn't look back.

Not when the man behind the desk finally looked like what he really was.

A coward who'd mask his sins in sacrifice.

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

Outside Dumbledore's Office 

Theo was pacing.

Which, for Theo Nott, was practically a full-blown panic attack. His hands were buried in his coat pockets, jaw clenched, eyes flicking to the door every five seconds like he could will it open.

When it finally did creak—he paused

Cassiopeia stepped out. There was a limp in her walk, sure—but her smile?

Feral. Satisfied. Wild.

"I won," she announced, and dropped into a mock bow.

Theo's mouth twitched. "There's my girl."

Without needing to ask, he fell into step beside her. She didn't need to explain. He didn't need to ask.

As always.

They moved in sync down the staircase, boots thudding softly on the stone.

By the time they reached the Entrance Hall, the tension in the air was unmistakable.

"Oh, lord," Theo muttered, clocking it immediately.

Two figures squared off near the staircase. No shouting. No dueling. Just silence and barely restrained violence. Draco's back was straight, chin tilted arrogantly— Blaise and Pansy stood behind him unsure of what to do 

And the Boy who Lived.

"Potter and Malfoy," Theo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course."

"I leave for five minutes," Cassie sighed, limping forward "and they try to burn the castle down with awkward eye contact and sexual tension"

Theo just gagged behind her. "Merlin Thanks for the image Cass."

She edged closer, steps silent just in time to hear  "The Dementors have left Azkaban," Draco was saying quietl "Dad and the others'll be out in no time..."

Harry's spat "Yeah, I expect they will. Still, at least everyone knows what scumbags they are now—"

Malfoy's hand flew to his wand.

But Harry was quicker.

And Cassie?

Cassie was fastest.

Before either of them could fully draw, a wand pressed into the space between Harry's shoulder blades.

Harry jumped and spun around, wand out.

Cassie was grinning at him lazily "Hi, Potter," she said sweetly. "Fancy bumping into you."

Harry jolted, spun around—and froze. "You—what—? You were in St. Mungo's—"

"Got bored," Cassie shrugged. "Heard there was drama. Came to see if anyone needed stabbing."

Harry didn't reply

"Now, now, Potter," she drawled. "What kind of manners are those—insulting my friends when I was the one who saved your arse?"

Harry's expression shuttered. "I didn't ask you to—"

"Oh, don't worry," Cassie said, smiling like a guillotine, "I didn't do it for you. I did it so that idiotic godfather of yours didn't get murdered before I got the chance to slap him."

Theo coughed behind her to hide a laugh.

Harry's eyes flicked to Draco again, jaw tightening. "Your friend—"

"—is someone I like more than you," Cassie cut in sharply. "And I suggest, Potter, that if you ever want to keep your hand attached to your body, you don't speak a word against Slytherins while I'm in earshot."

Harry wisely shut his mouth.

Cassie turned. "Come on, Draco."

Draco gave Potter one last lookand followed her, slipping his wand back into his sleeve with a huff.

They barely got three steps down the corridor before something caught her eye.

The heavy oak doors of the castle groaned open with a creak

Professor McGonagall appeared at the top of the stone steps, tartan carpetbag in one hand, a polished walking stick clutched in the other. Her robes, slightly wrinkled from travel, Her lips were pressed into a firm line.

But her eyes—Merlin, her eyes were still steel.

Cassie's grin split across her face

"Well, well," she drawled, tipping her head.  "Minnie. Fresh out of St. Mungo's and already making the castle look better—how do you do it?"

Professor McGonagall raised a single brow, unimpressed. "Miss Black."

Cassie offered a theatrical bow, only to wince "You know I hate being away from you. I practically staged the entire Department of Mysteries just so we'd end up matching hospital bracelets."

McGonagall barely blinked.

"I heard you made quite the entrance yourself," she said evenly, coming to a halt at the base of the stairs. "Rumor at St. Mungo's is that you arrived half-dead, fully bleeding, and somehow still managed to hex an healer who touched your wand arm without permission."

Cassie tilted her head, mock-innocent. "I can assure you I wasn't in a state to hex anyone—can't deny the bleeding though. You know I'd do anything for dramatic effect, Min."

She offered a lopsided smile,"Besides," she added, tone flirty "how else was I supposed to get your attention? You've been ghosting me ever since the DA fiasco."

Theo audibly groaned behind her. "Merlin, she's flirting with a professor again."

Cassie didn't even turn. "She started it."

McGonagall gave a long-suffering sigh, but her eyes—those sharp, steel eyes—softened just slightly. "Only you, Miss Black, would treat near-death like a staged performance."

Cassie winked. "Well. You taught me well."

McGonagall gave a tight-lipped smile—but her eyes softened as they scanned Cassie's face. "I do hope you're all right now."

Cassie shrugged, the movement making her wince slightly. "Yep. Stitched up and all ready to emotionally scar another generation of first-years."

McGonagall's lips twitched. "Charming."

"Not really, but it's the best I've got." Cassie flashed a grin . Theo moved closer, gently placing a hand on her back. McGonagall noticed, but said nothing—just gave Cassie one last glance, 

"Good," Minerva said. "Because Hogwarts is...gonna be heavier next year. I suspect it will need every bit of you."

Cassie's grin faltered for just a second, But she nodded. "Then it's a good thing I'm not going anywhere." 

McGonagall gave a small nod. " Just try not to incite any duels for at least one full day."

Cassie clutched her chest dramatically. "But Minnie, you're taking away all my hobbies."

Theo elbowed her in the ribs and she winced. "Oi."

"Good," he muttered. "That's for trying to die on us."

McGonagall turned to look at the growing crowd collecting nearby. Some were pretending to loiter. Others stared openly.

"I'll escort you to the dungeons," McGonagall said. "The castle's buzzing with rumors. Your House seems particularly ready to riot."

Cassie smiled crookedly, voice low. "They missed me."

McGonagall didn't respond. But as she turned and began to limp down the corridor, she called back: "Try not to cause an actual riot, Miss Black."

"No promises, Professor."

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

end of the term

Slytherin won the House Cup. Again.

Not that half the table was celebrating.

The emerald banners hung over the Great Hall were like flags at a funeral. There was clapping—of course there was—but it was dulled. Most of Slytherinss just sat there, silent, poking at plates. Eyes blank. 

Cassie didn't blame them. 

The Dark Lord had returned. Azkaban was cracked open. Some of their parents—some of their own—were now wanted criminals, or already locked up. And the rest of the school was baclk to looking at them like they were the ones who did the crimes

No one really knew how to celebrate when you were in your teens and your last name felt like a curse.

But then again... Slytherins were good at pretending.

Cassie, leaning slightly into Theo's shoulder, offered a lazy grin to the group around her end of the table—their end of the table. The real Slytherins. The ones who stuck.

Even if their plates were still mostly untouched, their section was alive. Blaise was making a game out of mocking every Gryffindor that passed, loudly , offering fake congratulations on the "noble loss." Pansy had redone her eyeliner with glitter to match the green decor and kept elbowing Draco every time he made a sour face. And Draco—who still hadn't smiled properly in a week—was being goaded into one, bit by bit, every time Cassie tossed a sarcastic snark his way.

It was the closest they'd get to joy. And for now, it was enough.

Umbridge, of course, had slithered out of the castle the night before. Cassie heard she tried to sneak out of the hospital wing during dinner, but unfortunately for her, Peeves had caught wind. And Cassie might have had something to do with that.

So there she was—Dolores Jane Umbridge, running down the front steps of Hogwarts, shrieking as Peeves whacked her with a walking stick in one hand and a sock full of chalk in the other.

Cassie couldn't chase her , but Blaise had recorded it and when he showed her the replay, she laughed so hard she nearly split her stitches again.

 The Heads of Houses tried only halfheartedly to restrain their pupils. Indeed, Professor McGonagall sank backinto her chair at the staff table after a few feeble express a regret that she could not run cheering after Umbridge herself, because Peeves had borrowed her walking stick

It was... satisfying.

And as the feast wound down, plates clearing, and Dumbledore's words of unity or unicorns passed around , Cassie leaned back

Her eyes flicked to the staff table. Minerva caught her gaze and nodded once.

Cassie nodded back.

They weren't fine. Not really.

But they were alive.

And that had to count for something.

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

Hogwarts express 

The compartment was quiet.

Unsettlingly so.

The laughter from the feast had faded into something quieter—fear?exhaustion?

Cassie had ducked out of the compartment with Theo moments ago, dragging him by the sleeve toward the trolley. The hallway was warm and when she reached the trolley—

She wasn't alone.

Harry and Hermione were already there, standing stiffly beside the trolley, Pumpkin pastries in hand.

For a second, no one moved.

Hermione looked between them, offering Cassie a hesitant nod. Harry just watched her, jaw tight and then he spoke "Thanks, Black."

Cassie blinked. Her hand hovered over a Pumpkin Pasty. "For what?"

Harry's voice was just... tired. "For saving Sirius."

Silence.

Cassie stared at him. Flat. Unflinching. No flicker of expression. Then she turned, her eyes sliding back to the cauldron cakes, plucking one off the trolley "Didn't do it for you," she said calmly.

Theo nudged her arms already full of sweets. "Got everything?" he asked.

"Nearly." Cassie plucked a box of licorice wands and handed it to him before handing the trolley lady a galleon 

They left without another word.

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

By the time they made it back to the compartment, the air had already shifted - the discussion had already started.

Blaise was half-sitting on the edge of the seat, arms animated "I'm telling you—this is it. The Dark Lord's out in the open. You think he's not going to pull us in? We're on the list. All of us."

Cassie dropped down onto the empty space beside Pansy and dumped half the sweets onto the space between them. Instantly, hands reached for chocolate frogs and fizzing whizbees like it was instinct.

But the mood didn't lift.

Not really.

Cassie peeled open a chocolate frog and said, "Merlin. Can't I leave y'all for a minute without you all turning into doomsday prophets?"

No one laughed.

Pansy blinked at her. "That's what you're opening with? Really?"

Cassie shrugged. "Humour is how I cope."

"Try silence," Draco muttered.

She rolled her eyes and leaned back, popping the chocolate frog into her mouth. "You're not funny, Draco."

"You're not listening," Blaise cut in "This is bigger than whatever savior complex you've got going on, Cass. This isn't just about you."

Cassie's jaw ticked. "And I never said it was."

"You didn't have to. Look—" he gestured around the cramped space. "We're all marked now. Every one of us. By name, by blood, by house. Slytherins. Rich kids. Purebloods. We are exactly who he wants. We are gonna get pulled in this - whether we want it or not"

"No one's pulling you anywhere"

"You don't get to say that. Not when you're the bloody Heiress, Cass. You think he doesn't want you most of all?"

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And we're collateral," Blaise muttered. "You might be a prize. The rest of us—we're leverage.like fodder."

"I'm not letting that happen," Cassie said firmly "I'll kill anyone who tries to use you."

"Stop saying that," Draco snapped. "It doesn't fix anything."

"It's not meant to fix it," she shot back. "It's meant to make it very clear that if they touch anyone in this compart—"

"What?" Draco challenged. "You'll gut the entire Death Eater army and the Dark lord with daggers and trauma issues?"

Cassie didn't blink. "Try me."

"Be practical, Cass." He snapped  "Do you not see how bad it is? For us? For me? You think I'll have a choice? My father made mine for me the moment he knelt before the Dark Lord."

"You're not your father," Cassie said.

"Doesn't matter," he said. "He branded me by blood."

"And I'll brand you back," Cassie snapped. "With whatever ancient dark magic I need to keep you alive. You're not being taken."

"That's not practical," Pansy said, "You're acting like you can out-magic a war, Cass. Like we can hex our way out of this."

"I'm acting like we're not going down without a fight," Cassie said, voice sharpening. "You want me to be scared? Fine. I am scared. But I'm not going to sit here like a lamb waiting to be led to the fucking slaughter."

"And what if the war isn't a choice?" Blaise murmured. "What if we're already in it?"

Cassie looked at him. Really looked. Blaise—who always laughed his way out of any idea - was- flat- dead serious.

"Then I'll fight dirtier," she said simply.

No one answered.

Theo, from his corner by the window, hadn't said a word since the discussion started/ He just sat there, elbow propped on the windowsill, chin resting on his fist.

Cassie turned. Nudged his foot with hers.

"Hey."

He glanced at her, blinked slowly. "Hm?"

"You've been weirdly silent," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "Unnerving, really."

He didn't smile.

Just looked at her. And something about that look made her chest tighten.

She reached for his hand. Found it. Twined her fingers with his.

"Come with me."

He didn't ask where.

They stood, The group watched them go. Said nothing.

Cassie didn't let go of Theo's hand until they reached the far end of the corridor, found an empty compartment, and slipped inside. The door slid shut with a soft click behind them.

She didn't speak at first. Just stood near the window, back to him, arms folded tight across her chest like if she didn't hold herself together, she'd come undone.

Theo didn't press. Just waited. Like he always did.

Cassie exhaled. "Don't go back."

Theo didn't move.

"I'm serious," she said, "Come with me. Regulus—he'd take you in without blinking. You already know that. We—we'll figure it out. Be our own family, or whatever the hell that means. But please, Theo. Don't go back to him."

Theo just looked at her.

Cassie stepped closer. "You don't have to prove anything."

"I do," he said softly. "To myself."

She shook her head, jaw clenched. "You haven't seen him yet. I have. I—" She cut off. Swallowed. "He's not a man, Theo. He's Disgusting and empty and wrong and—"

"I know," Theo said. "I believe you."

"Then why—why are you still doing this?"

"Because I have to." His eyes didn't waver. "I'm not a coward, Cassie. I won't run from this."

"This isn't about running," she snapped, panic finally slipping through her voice. "This is survival. This is you not getting tortured to death just to remind me he can. I made a scene, remember? Told him what I thought of him—what I thought of you."

Theo's expression didn't change. But she saw the flicker in his eyes.

"He'll want revenge for that, Theo. He'll make you bleed for the words I said."

"Then let him try."

Cassie stared at him.

"You don't get it," she said, voice rising, panic making it hoarse. "We had a plan. You and me. Put on the perfect heir face. Fly under the radar. Keep your name clean. And then I had to go and ruin it—like I always do—"

"Stop it," Theo cut in, stepping toward her now. "It's not your fault. It's his."

Cassie's chest rose and fell. "No But- I screwed this up. Don't you get that? We planned the perfect little heir act, right? And I lost my temper like a fucking idiot and now he knows—"

"It's not your fault," Theo said again

"It is," she snarled, stepping closer. "He's going to take it out on you. You know that. For what I said. For who I am."

"Then let him try."

"Stop saying that!" Her voice cracked. "You don't have to —"

"You know I'm stronger than I look," he interrupted

Cassie stared at him. Her hands dropped to her sides, "I know," she said . "Of course you are. That's never been the question."

Then—softer. 

"But you don't have to. Please, Theo." Cassie reached for his hands, gripped them tight. "Please."

"I'm begging you"

Cassiopeia Black didn't beg.

Not for anyone.

Theo's jaw clenched. His fingers tightened around hers.

"You know I have to face him, Cass," he said. "Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But at some point. I'd rather choose when it happens than wait to be hunted down."

Cassie blinked hard. "Then promise me something."

Theo frowned. "Cass—"

"Promise me," she said. "If it gets bad. If you even think it's going to get bad. You come straight to me. No delays. No bravery bullshit."

Theo sighed, forehead falling against hers. "I promise."

She closed her eyes. "Good. Because Kreacher answers to you now, by the way."

"What?"

"You heard me. He's yours too. Told him myself."

Theo pulled back, incredulous. "You gave me your house-elf?"

Cassie smirked. "Please. I gave you me."

Theo's breath hitched "You drive me mad," he muttered.

Cassie leaned up, lips brushing his jaw. "Good." Then—"If you die, I'm bringing you back just to kill you again."

Theo tilted her chin up. "And if you leave me behind again, I'll burn the fucking world down to find you."

Cassie's smile curved "Now that's romantic."

Then she kissed him.

Mouths met. Desperate. Wordless. Devourin
The kind of kiss that didn't say I love you —But I will kill for you. Die for you. Burn for you.

His hand was in her hair, hers gripping the collar of his coat, as if letting go might somehow end them.

When they pulled apart, breathless, foreheads still touching, Theo whispered, "You're not allowed to almost die. Ever again."

Cassie grinned against his lips. "Jealous of all the attention I got?"

He scoffed. "Possessive. There's a difference."

"Oh, darling," she purred, "I love when you get scary."

"Be careful," Theo said. "One day I might be worse than you."

Cassie gave him a devilish look. "Now that's how you flirt."

Outside, the train whistled.

The war was coming.

But in that compartment, tangled in each other they knew.

There was no escaping this war.

But if there was any chance of surviving it—

They would have to choose each other first.

Always

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

Now that was the ending chap- closing of all things needed to be made clear - might seem a lil abrupt- but it was necessary 

.....

End of Shadows of Betrayal
Next part is up! Announced in next chap