Darkness.

It stretched endlessly, suffocating

Cassie's chest tightened as she staggered forward, wand raised, its tip barely casting a flicker of light like it might extinguish at any moment.

"Cassiopeia..."

Her breath caught. "Regulus?"

Her voice echoed back at her, swallowed almost immediately by the darkness. She turned sharply, her grip on her wand tightening, but there was nothing. Just endless black.

"Don't... leave me.."

"Dad??" Her voice echoed back at her,

"Cass--"

The voice faded, replaced by an ominous hiss. A black figure materialized from the smoke, towering and faceless

"Stay back!" she snarled, firing a spell into the darkness. The light erupted from her wand but vanished into the void without a trace. Her heart pounded as the figure moved closer

"You're a maniac, Cassie!"

The words hit her like a slap. She turned sharply, 

"Theo?" she gasped, "Where are you?"

The only response was her own ragged breathing.

Then she heard it. A soft, melodic voice, so familiar it hurt.

"Cassie?"

Her chest tightened. "Mom?"

"Cassie, my darling." The voice echoed around her, 

Cassie turned wildly, her heart hammering. "Mom? Where are you?"

A faint glow appeared ahead of her. She stumbled toward it, her legs shaky, her breaths uneven.

And there she was. Valerie. Her mother.

Cassie froze, her chest heaving. Her mother stood as if she'd never left, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, 

"Mom," Cassie whispered, her voice breaking. "Is it really you?"

Valerie smiled. "Cassiopeia, you need to listen to me."

Cassie's lips trembled as she stepped closer, her hand outstretched. "I—I don't understand. How are you here? What is this?"

Valerie's expression softened,  "You have to be careful, my love," she said, her voice trembling. "He is back—and he will come for you."

Her fingers brushed against empty air as if the warmth of her mother's touch could ground her in this nightmare. "Who? What, Mom? What are you talking about?"

Valerie raised a trembling finger, her gaze darting behind Cassie. Cassie turned her head to follow her mother's gesture.

The faceless figure moved closer through the shadows, "Voldemort."

"He will see your power," Valerie interrupted, her voice breaking. "And he will want it. You must not let him take it. You must not let him take you."

"I—I won't let him—"

Valerie's eyes suddenly widened, her pupils dilating with terror. Her hand flew out as if to shield Cassie.

"Run!" she screamed

Cassie spun around, her wand instinctively snapping up. The dark figure loomed closer, its form shifting 

"Stay back!" she shouted, sending a desperate spell at the figure. The light barely left her wand before it was swallowed by the void.

She turned back, panic surging through her. "Mom!"

But Valerie was already stepping toward her, her arms outstretched.

"No, Cassie! Don't look back!"

"Mom, come with me—"

The dark figure struck before she could finish, a blade slicing through the air. It pierced Valerie's chest 

"No!" Cassie screamed, her voice breaking as she stumbled forward.

Valerie's eyes went wide, her lips parting in a silent gasp. Her knees buckled, and she crumpled to the ground. Cassie dropped beside her, her hands shaking as they pressed against the wound.

"MOM!"

The wound wasn't blood—it was nothingness, curling tendrils of black smoke that twisted and writhed under her fingers. Cassie's heart shattered as her mother's form began to fade, her features dissolving into the void.

"Cassiopeia," Valerie whispered,  "You must resist, my love. Promise me... you will resist him."

Tears streamed down Cassie's face as she shook her head. "No, Mom, don't go! Don't leave me! again-"

"You have Regulus Cass- he'll protect you-"

And then she was gone, shattering into the smoke, 

"MOM, NO!"

The scream tore from her throat as the darkness closed in, suffocating her—

Cassie bolted upright, gasping for air. Her chest heaved as she frantically clawed at the sheets, her mind still reeling from the dream.

The hospital wing blurred around her, its clean white walls and bright lantern light 

"Miss Black," Madam Pomfrey's voice rang out. "What in Merlin's name—"

"Mom," Cassie whispered shaking her head as though to clear the remnants of her nightmare.

Pomfrey narrowed her eyes, her lips pursed in stern disapproval. "You skipped the dreamless sleep potion, didn't you?" she scolded, pulling a blanket tighter around Cassie's trembling shoulders. "Honestly, Cassiopeia, how do you keep getting yourself into these situations?"

Cassie forced a weak smirk onto her face, . "Just an excuse to see you, Poppy. I do so love the attention."  She winked, though it lacked her usual spark.

Pomfrey huffed, straightening Cassie's disheveled sheets "Cheeky as always," she muttered. "I'll get the potion—drink it this time, for goodness' sake." She bustled off, her muttering about stubborn patients 

Cassie nodded absently, her gaze drifting across the ward. Her eyes caught on a small gathering of people huddled near what she presumed was Potter's bed. 

Her gaze shifted to the black dog curled at the foot of the bed, its head resting protectively near Harry. Cassie blinked, her stomach tightening as she recognized Sirius

She quickly looked away, her chest constricting. The ache was sharp, unexpected. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so... alone.

Cassie quickly looked away, swallowing hard against the lump rising in her throat. For a moment, she squeezed her eyes shut, but the darkness there only reminded her of the dream—the smoke, her mother's voice, the blade, the emptiness.

Her hands clenched the blanket, her knuckles white. She'd never admit it aloud, but the ache in her chest was sharper than she'd expected. You have Regulus. The words echoed, hollow-

But in that moment, all Cassie could feel was emptiness

But suddenly The hospital wing was a storm of noise. Footsteps thundered, voices clashed, and the door burst open with a bang that reverberated in her skull.

"Regrettable, but all the same, Minerva—" Cornelius Fudge's pompous tone echoed

"You should never have brought it inside the castle!" McGonagall's voice rang out, sharp and trembling with fury. "When Dumbledore finds out—"

Cassie's head snapped up at the commotion, her gaze narrowing. Madam Pomfrey was bustling toward the chaos, her lips pressed thin, but the rising voices dragged Cassie's attention back.

"Where's Dumbledore?" Fudge barked, 

"He's not here," Mrs. Weasley shot back, . "This is a hospital wing, Minister, don't you think you'd do better to—"

Before Mrs. Weasley could finish, Dumbledore swept into the room, 

"What has happened?" he demanded sharply, "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you—I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch—"

"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" McGonagall shrieked, her composure utterly shattered.

Cassie had never seen McGonagall like this. The professor's hands were balled into fists, and angry blotches of color burned on her usually stern face.

"When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events," Snape's began his voice low "he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a Dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch—"

"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" McGonagall fumed. "I told him you would never allow Dementors to set foot inside the castle, but—"

"My dear woman!" Fudge roared, . "As Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous—"

McGonagall's furious voice drowned him out. "The moment that—that thing entered the room," she spat, pointing a shaking finger at Fudge, "it swooped down on Crouch and—and—"

Cassie's stomach churned, . She shoved back the covers, ignoring the ache in her muscles as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her wand lay on the nightstand, and she grabbed it, her fingers curling around the wood with white-knuckled force.

"By all accounts, he is no loss!" Fudge bellowed.

"It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!" Fudge continued,

But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," Dumbledore said,  The old man's gaze was locked onto Fudge, unwavering, as if he was seeing him for the first time—really seeing him.

"Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it?" Fudge blustered, his voice obnoxiously confident. "He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!"

Cassie couldn't hold it in anymore. the absolute disbelief.

"Because he was, you blithering idiot," Cassie snapped,

Fudge jerked around, his face contorting in surprise as his eyes landed on her. The room seemed to freeze as everyone turned their attention to her. She stood there,  her Hogwarts robes clinging to her skin, now stained with a few patches of blood, her messy hair falling over her face wand still tight in her grip, her fists clenched at her sides. Her eyes were burning with fury. "Voldemort orchestrated the whole—fucking show. All these deaths? Just so he could return,"

Fudge's face paled for a second before turning crimson. He sputtered in disbelief.

"Miss Black," McGonagall admonished

Fudge's face went from red to white, as if someone had just swung a heavy weight into his face, still gaping at her, his face twisted in disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend that a student—especially Cassiopeia Black—was daring to speak to him this way.

"You—you better stay out of this, Black, knowing your family history—"

"Oh, you wanna go to my family now?" Cassie snapped, Without warning, she lunged forward, her eyes flashing with fury. "How dare you insult The most noble and ancient house of Black- I'll kill you, you little—"

Fudge stumbled back, his face paling, completely unprepared for the sudden outburst

"Look at that, Dumbledore!" Fudge spluttered, his voice rising, now truly panicked. "Your student's threatening the Minister of Magic right in front of you—this is unacceptable!"

Cassie's lips curled into a sneer. "I'll show you unacceptable," she snarled, stepping closer,

"I demand she be expelled at once!" Fudge yelled, the ridiculousness of his words almost laughable.

The room went still. Even McGonagall, usually so composed, looked momentarily startled. But before anything else could be said, a voice, calm and collected, interrupted the storm.

"Ah, Cornelius, please, excuse her behavior." The voice was smooth, controlled. Cassie's heart skipped a beat when she saw him—Regulus- well disguised as Mr Pierre but- he was there-, standing tall at the edge of the room. His brown hair was carefully tousled, his broad face calm His presence seemed to shift the atmosphere entirely. He gave Fudge a cool, measured look.

"She's been through quite an ordeal tonight, you see," Mr. Pierre continued, his tone almost too polite,

"Dad?"  She didn't even think. The word escaped her in a rush of emotion. She was almost smiling, the bitterness fading into something softer—relief, maybe, or something else she couldn't name. She didn't care.

"Dad..." she said again, her voice stronger this time, and before she knew it, she was moving toward him- home-  Her hands were reaching out, desperate for something she hadn't realized she needed so badly. 

"Cassie..."

Before anyone could react, Cassie was there, her arms thrown around him in a fierce, almost desperate hug. 

The Black dog growled from the corner of the room,  Cassie didn't even flinch. She didn't need to. Not anymore.
For a moment, Fudge hesitated, eyes flickering from Cassie to Mr. Pierre, his mind racing to assess the situation. The man was well-known, his wealth and influence and Fudge wasn't about to challenge someone of Mr. Pierre's stature—especially not with the constant donations he received from him.

Fudge exhaled, his shoulders sagging in visible relief. "Ah, Mr. Pierre,"

"Well, alright," Fudge grumbled, his confidence returning as he straightened his robes, trying to regain control of the situation. "I'll forgive her... only because you said so."

"You'll forgive me?" Cassie snarled, "I'm not your charity case, you pompous little—

Regulus stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on her arm, just enough to steady her without making it look like an order. "Cassie, stop."

She bit back a snarl, but reluctantly backed off, her eyes still shooting daggers at Fudge.

Fudge, of course, didn't even seem to notice her simmering rage. His pompous expression was smug, that irritating smile still twisting on his lips. 

"See here, Dumbledore," he said, as if everything in the world hinged on him, "you—you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who—back? Come now, come now... certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders—but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore..."

"When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Voldemort," he said. "He witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office."

"I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight."

"You believe  him Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore's eyes were blazing. "Certainly, I believe Harry," he said, not even flinching at Fudge's tone. "I heard Crouch's confession, and I heard Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup; the two stories make sense. They explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."

Fudge was still grinning, a sick, patronizing look that made Cassie's stomach churn. "You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who..." He glanced at Harry again, that familiar glint of superiority flashing in his eyes. "Well..."

"You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge," Harry's voice cut through

Cassie shot a sharp glance at Harry. She hadn't noticed him really awake,

Fudge's face turned a dark shade of red as his smile faltered. "And if I have?" he said, his voice dripping with defiance. "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place—"

Dumbledore cut in, his voice cold and calm. "I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?"

"You admit that he has been having these pains, then?" Fudge asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Harry is as sane as you or I," Dumbledore said firmly. "That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."

Fudge took a half-step back, but his stubbornness was written all over his face. He refused to admit it. He was going to make Harry a villain just because it suited him. "You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before..."

Harry finally snapped, s. "Look, I saw Voldemort come back! I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy—"

Cassie's blood ran cold at the mention of Malfoy. Her eyes locked onto Snape, who was standing eerily still, a subtle movement catching her attention. 

"Malfoy was cleared!" Fudge spat, visibly affronted. "A very old family—donations to excellent causes—"

"Macnair!" Harry yelled.

"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!" Fudge countered, his voice rising.

"Avery—Nott—Crabbe—Goyle—"

"You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago!" Fudge shouted back. "You could have found those names in old reports of the trials! For heaven's sake, Dumbledore—the boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too—his tales are getting taller, and you're still swallowing them—the boy can talk to snakes, Dumbledore, and you still think he's trustworthy?"

Cassie's anger flared, but before she could snap at Fudge again, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out. "You fool!" she cried, her voice sharp with fury. "Cedric Diggory! Mr. Crouch! These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!"

"It seems to me that you are alldetermined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we haveworked for these last thirteen years!

Cassie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Fudge's words hit her like a slap, the absurdity of it all making her want to scream. She glanced around, her gaze falling on Pierre, who stood motionless, his expression unreadable. She caught his eye for a brief moment, and the disappointment was clear.

He shook his head slowly, almost imperceptibly, as if to say everything Cassie needed to know. He knew what Fudge was thinking—what he was really afraid of. It wasn't the return of Voldemort, or the threat to the wizarding world. No, it was his position. His title. His precious Ministry

 Fudge wasn't concerned about the chaos Voldemort's return would cause. He was terrified of the panic that might expose him for the coward he was. 

"Voldemort has returned," Dumbledore repeated. "If you accept that fact straightaway, Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the control of the dementors—"

"Preposterous!" shouted Fudge again. "Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at Azkaban!"

"The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, knowing that you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them!" said Dumbledore, his voice stern. "They will not remain loyal to you, Fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the dementors behind him, and his old supporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago!"

Fudge was opening and closing his mouth as though no words could express his outrage. Cassie could see his inner panic now, his lips trembling. He was too scared to even understand the danger they were facing. 

"The second step you must take—and at once," Dumbledore pressed on, "is to send envoys to the giants."

"Envoys to the giants?" Fudge shrieked, finding his tongue again. "What madness is this?"

"Extend them the hand of friendship, now, before it is too late," said Dumbledore. "Or Voldemort will persuade them, as he did before, that he alone among wizards will give them their rights and their freedom!"

"You—you cannot be serious!" Fudge gasped, shaking his head and retreating further from Dumbledore. "If the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants—people hate them, Dumbledore—end of my career—"

"You are blinded," said Dumbledore, his voice rising now his eyes blazing once more, "by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Your dementor has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any—and see what that man chose to make of his life! I tell you now—take the steps I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act—and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!"

"Insane," whispered Fudge, still backing away. "Mad . . ."

Cassiopeia was barely able to contain her anger. She couldn't believe this man was still alive, let alone in a position of power. He was a failure—a coward. And in the end, that cowardice would destroy them all.

"The only one against whom I intend to work against" said Dumbledore, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side."

Fudge didn't have a response. He just rocked backward and forward on his small feet for a moment, then spun his bowler hat in his hands. Finally, he said, with a hint of a plea in his voice, "He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be . . ."

Snape strode forward, past Dumbledore, pulling up the left sleeve of his robes as he went. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge, who recoiled.

"There," said Snape harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can see it for yourself."

Fudge stepped back from Snape too. He was shaking his head, not even bothering to process the information. His eyes darted between Snape and Dumbledore, but he didn't seem to be listening. He stared, apparently repelled by the ugly mark on Snape's arm, then looked up at Dumbledore and whispered, "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."

He had almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back down the dormitory, and stopped at Harry's bed.

"Your winnings," he said shortly, taking a large bag of gold out of his pocket and dropping it onto Harry's bedside table. "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances . . ."

He crammed his bowler hat onto his head and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Cassiopeia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The moment the door slammed shut, her gaze shifted to Regulus, who was still silent, his expression unreadable

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

"There's work to be done," Dumbledore said,. His eyes landed on Mrs. Weasley. "Molly... am I right in thinking I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course you can," Mrs. Weasley said firmly, though her hands were gripping the edge of her robes so tightly her knuckles had turned white. Her voice had a sharp edge of anger. "We've known what Fudge is for years. It's Arthur's kindness to Muggles that's held him back at the Ministry—Fudge thinks it's a lack of 'proper wizarding pride.' As if that matters now."

"Then I need Arthur's help," Dumbledore said. "We have to rally everyone we can who sees the truth. He's in a good position to reach those at the Ministry who aren't as blind as Cornelius."

"I'll go to Dad," Bill interrupted "I'll leave now."

"Good," Dumbledore said, nodding. "Tell him everything. Tell him I'll contact him directly soon. But he'll need to be careful—Fudge is watching for any sign of interference."

"Leave it to me," Bill said shortly. He clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder, kissed his mum on the cheek, then pulled on his cloak and disappeared from the room without another word.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, his attention shifting to McGonagall. "I need Hagrid in my office. And Madame Maxime, if she's willing."

McGonagall gave a sharp nod, her lips pursed tight, and swept out of the room.

"Poppy," Dumbledore continued, addressing Madam Pomfrey, "I believe you'll find Winky in distress in Professor Moody's office. Please take her to the kitchens. Dobby will see she's looked after."

Madam Pomfrey looked startled, but she nodded. "Of course," she said quietly, gathering her things before hurrying out.

Cassie's eyes narrowed as the room grew quieter

Dumbledore hesitated, the rare pause uncharacteristic of him. Finally, he turned, his voice dropping, "Mr. Pierre..."

The man—the stranger only Cassie knew wasn't a stranger—lifted his chin, his expression tense.

"Yes?" 

Dumbledore straightened, but his hesitation lingered. " Your presence here... well... it was unexpected," he said carefully, his gaze flicking to Cassie as though trying to read her reaction.

Regulus's sharp eyes shifted to the great black dog standing by the corner. His lip curled, subtle but unmistakable. "It's clear my daughter isn't well," he said, voice calm "I'm not leaving her here alone. What I do wish to know is why he is here." His words dripped with cold contempt as he gestured toward the black dog with a faint tilt of his head.

The room stilled, 

Dumbledore fiddled absently with the edge of his sleeve, clearly searching for the right words. He finally said, "It is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius... if you would resume your usual form."

The black dog, who had been watching the exchange in silence, let out a low growl before morphing back into a man. Sirius Black stood there, 

Mrs. Weasley screamed and stumbled back, her face pale as she pointed a trembling finger. "Sirius Black!" she shrieked.

"Mum, shut up!" Ron yelled, stepping forward. "It's fine! He's on our side!"

Snape, however, remained motionless. He hadn't screamed or jumped, but the look on his face was one of mingled fury and disgust.

"Him," Snape snarled, his tone as sharp as a blade. He glared at Sirius, his lip curling. "What is he doing here?"

"Exactly my question," Regulus—Pierre—snapped,

Sirius turned to him sharply, his gaze raking over the man as though trying to piece together a puzzle. His eyes narrowed slightly, sizing him up. "And who the bloody hell are you supposed to be?"

"Her father," Pierre said coldly, stepping protectively in front of Cassie as though daring Sirius to challenge him.

Sirius spluttered, his composure cracking. "No, you're not! You're just her—her guardian. I'm her—"

"What?" Cassie cut in sharply, her voice dripping with mock disbelief. Her eyes glittered with something between fury and amusement. "Father?" She let out a cold laugh, stepping forward.

"Oh no, Sirius," she hissed, her tone venomous, "I've told you this before—you are no fucking father of mine."

Sirius froze, her words hitting him like a slap. His face darkened, . He stepped closer, his voice rising. "Cassiopeia, don't you dare—"

"Don't say her name!" Pierre snarled, He moved in front of Cassie again, his stance rigid, his eyes locked on Sirius.

"You have nothing to do with this!" Sirius shouted, his fists clenched as he tried to push past him.

Pierre didn't flinch. "Oh, I have everything to do with her, Sirius," he said,  "You may share her blood, but she is my daughter."

Cassie's eyes darted between them, narrowing dangerously at Sirius. .

"You're still just a stand-in," Sirius snapped. "A convenient replacement. "

Pierre's eyes darkened, and his wand was out in an instant. "Say that again," 

Sirius stepped back instinctively, then drew his own wand "You dont scare me"

ENOUGH!" Dumbledore's voice thundered through the room, He stepped between them, "Lower your wands. Both of you."

Pierre didn't move at first, his grip tightening on his wand. "He's the one who's been running his mouth."

"And you're the one escalating it," Dumbledore said firmly. "This is not the time, nor the place, for personal vendettas.

"I will settle, in the short term," Dumbledore interjected, his voice carrying an edge of impatience that rarely surfaced, "for a lack of open hostility. You will both shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless those of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us. Severus- you too-"

Snape and Sirius glared at each other, their hatred palpable. Reluctantly, and with a visible lack of enthusiasm, they moved toward one another.

The handshake was brief, no more than a brush of fingertips before they broke apart, their glares unrelenting.

Regulus, however, did not move. He stood stiffly, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Sirius with unhidden disdain. "I'm not here to play house," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

"We cannot afford this division, Mr. Pierre. Not now."

Pierre sneered, his arm tightening protectively around Cassie's shoulders. "Then you won't have our support, Dumbledore," 

Dumbledore bowed his head in silence, 

"Let's go, Cass," Pierre said roughly, already turning towards the door.

Cassie nodded, her gaze flicking back to Sirius. "Just a word of advice, Sirius—don't bring your little party to Grimmauld Place. I'm afraid the wards might... react unfavorably. But then, you're a Black. I'm sure you understand."

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

OMGGGGGG- REGULUS IS SO- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Also- fudge is an absolute asshole- uhm- so is Sirius and so is dumbledore-

well ig next chap will be the last one for year 4- i might or might not have a bonus chap-

----anndddd MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Till next time-

mxriddle