Cassie struggled against the unknown figure's tight grasp, but the familiar scent of pine and sandalwood made her relax slightly. The galloping grew louder, then stopped abruptly. Heavy breathing and low growls resonated through the darkness, sending chills down Cassie's spine. She could feel the body beside her tense, his wand at the ready.

Seconds stretched into what felt like hours as they waited, tense and silent. The growls grew louder before finally receding, the galloping moving away from their hiding spot. Cassie let out a shaky breath and shakily turned to face her savior.

"Dad?" she whispered, her voice breaking in relief.

Regulus Black, his grey eyes glowing..  His usually neat dark hair was slightly disheveled, giving him a wild, almost dangerous look  His tall, lean frame was cloaked in dark robes that blended seamlessly 

She immediately hugged him, her arms clinging tightly.  "I'm here" he whispered

"Cassie, what happened? What are you doing here? Wait—is this blood!" he exclaimed worriedly, tracing the fresh wound on her hand, which was still bleeding.

"This looks like—" he began, then whispered, "Werewolf."

Cassie nodded. "I'm fine, Dad. What are you doing - How did you find me?" she stumbled, her voice threatening to give way.

Regulus tore a piece of his robe and wrapped it tightly around her arm. "You called, didn't you? Your bracelet."

Cassie looked at her hand, realizing the bracelet was missing. Frantically looking around, she muttered, "Oh shit, I must have dropped it."

Regulus sighed in relief. "Good thing you did. What's going on, Cassie?" he asked, settling behind the tree on the damp forest floor.

Cassie blinked, her eyes watery as she stared into Regulus's grey eyes. "Sirius," she whispered, a single tear falling.

Regulus's face contorted in pure hatred. "Did he do this?" he *growled. "I'll kill that bastard."

"No," Cassie whispered. "He is innocent."

Regulus's eyes widened in shock as he stared into Cassie's.

"What?"

Cassie nodded. "I knew it before. I ran into him at Hogsmeade."

"WHAT- You promised, Cassie—"

"I know, Dad," she cut him off. "I ran into him. I made him swear on his magic. It turns out Pettigrew betrayed the Potters and killed those muggles."

"So he is—"

"Innocent," Cassie whispered.

Regulus stared in silence, the occasional shuffling of the forest the only sound around them.

"He didn't give a shit about me," Cassie broke the silence again, her voice trembling with rage as she leaned against his chest. "He came back for Potter—not me. He even offered Potter to stay with him and not his own fucking daughter," her voice breaking, another tear flowing down her cheek.

Regulus looked at her, his expression a mix of fury and helplessness. Cassie hadn't cried since her mom died, and seeing her like this tore at him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

"Fuck Sirius. You have me,

Cassie nodded against his chest,
 "It's not fair, Dad. What does that potter have that I dont- Not even once he acted like he wanted me"

Regulus's grip tightened, his own anger bubbling to the surface. "He doesn't deserve you, Cassie."

"He called him his godson," Cassie choked out, her voice filled with bitterness. "He offered him a home, just like that... when he's never been there for me?"

Regulus's eyes darkened with anger holding her close, his heart breaking for his daughter. "I know, Cassie. I know. But his loss is my gain. "

Cassie took deep breaths, trying to steady herself. The forest around them seemed to close in, a dark, suffocating presence. Regulus's warmth was the only thing keeping her grounded.

"You need to go back, Cassie. Go to the hospital wing," Regulus said softly but firmly.

"I'm fine," Cassie protested, her stubbornness flaring up.

"Cassiopeia," Regulus said in a final tone, leaving no room for argument.

Cassie sighed, reluctantly agreeing. "Alright. How do I head back?" she asked, making an effort to get up, her sprained foot hanging limp. Regulus helped her to her feet.

"Ferula," Regulus chanted, and bandages spun up Cassie's leg, securing it tightly.

"Expecto Patronum," Regulus chanted, and a silver beam materialized into a sleek, graceful cat.

"A cat?" Cassie asked, snorting despite herself.

"I never understood why," Regulus said, shaking his head with a faint smile. The cat pranced, as if waiting for his command. "Lead her back to Hogwarts," Regulus instructed. The cat almost nodded as if understanding.

"Dad, you too leave. It's too risky. You're not even in disguise," her voice was low, almost threatening to give up.

"I will," Regulus assured her.

Cassie gave him a short smile before limping in the direction the cat went, 

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

Cassie limped through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, her vision blurring as she approached the hospital wing. Blood loss had drained her face of color, and she stumbled, clutching her side in pain.

Outside the hospital wing, she saw a familiar figure.

"Dumbles," she called out weakly, seeing the bearded headmaster standing by the gate.

Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled with a mixture of concern and surprise. "Miss Black," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "I was about to send officials to search for you. 
You're injured! Poppy–"

"I'm fine, Headmaster," Cassie interrupted, her voice strained but urgent. "You need to listen. Sirius is innocent. It was Pettigrew–"

"I know," he said calmly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You know?" Cassie said incredulously, her anger flaring despite her weakening state. "We have to catch that rat before he gets too far."

"Cassiopeia, you are injured," Dumbledore insisted, his voice taking on a note of authority. "You need–"

"I SAID I'M FINE!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the empty corridor. "I DON'T NEED–"

But Dumbledore merely smiled, With a wave of his wand, Cassie felt her strength ebb away, her eyes drifting closed as she fell forward. Dumbledore caught her effortlessly, his expression grave. He waved his wand again, and Cassie's limp body floated gently towards the hospital wing.

"Poppy!" he called out.

Madam Pomfrey rushed out, her eyes widening in alarm. "What happened to her?"

"Lost blood, I suppose," Dumbledore replied, his tone even yet filled with an underlying tension.

Madam Pomfrey huffed in frustration, guiding Cassie's floating form to a nearby bed. "The things that happen here, Albus," she muttered, fiddling with the knot on her hand.

As she examined Cassie's injuries, her expression turned to one of horror. "My god! It's a werewolf scratch, Albus, and pretty deep too. It's still bleeding. It's a wonder she was still conscious."

Pomfrey immediately waved her wand, summoning various potions. "Dreamless Sleep, Blood-Replenishing," she muttered, 

As the Dreamless Sleep potion took effect, Cassiopeia's face gradually regained its color, her features softening into a peaceful pallor. Unconsciousness enveloped her, bringing a much-needed

Unaware of the world around her, Cassie didn't hear the hurried footsteps or the raised voices that filled the hospital wing moments later.


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guess- who is finally settled in hostel- and had a free day to write!!!!!

Damn this chapter was way shorter than i thought it would be-

one more chapter then end of year three-  2 bonus chaps to follow

btw- yall guessed regulus {-_-} i thot it wouldnt be that predictable

also vulnerable cassie!!!!!!!

i wanted to add more to the reggie cassie scene- but practically it wudnt have made sense cos cassie was injured

till next time

byeii---

mxriddle