When we align; a Neville Longbottom fanfiction

24. O.W.L.s

Easter was even more painful than she had imagined. Cass spent a week barricaded in Nott Manor, trying to make sense of the letter Frances had written. Except for what she had expected (an extremely vague explanation about why she had left, how she couldn't believe that she was alive and was looking for her, and a brief description of her life in the States), she had sent a portkey. An official one at that, since it must have required the combined effort of various people and an incredible amount of magic to set it up. It was programmed to activate in June. Frances clearly didn't quite remember that the school year finished in late June, and it seemed that time-zones had not been taken into consideration. It was both a sloppy and extremely careful work, which confused Cass. She examined the scarf, trying to detect if it had any trace of Dark Magic in it. After all, it could have been a complicated ruse at the hand of Arnas.

'I'm sending you a portkey by post soon. It'll take you straight to my house. I thought that you could visit me once you're done with exams.'

Was all the letter said regarding it, along with instructions on how to use it. After months hoping to have a way out, Cass had finally stumbled upon one, and had no intention to use it. Her mind was set.

She decided to mention it to Theo, the day before going back to Hogwarts. If she was going to let it go to waste, maybe he would find it useful. It seemed like he didn't have to pick a side, after all.

"Absolutely not." He had said once Cass had shown him the scarf.

"Theo, listen to me. This could be your way out."

"No. I'm not leaving you, or Blaise, or Father behind." He folded his arms over his chest.

"You're incredibly stubborn, you know that?"

"I do. And so are you." He retorted. "I'm not going."

"Fine." She snapped. "I'll leave the scarf here. If you want to go, you know where to find it. No questions asked."

She couldn't read his expression when he said: "The same goes for you. No questions asked."

With five weeks left until their exams, the fifth-year Slytherins suffered from a collective mental breakdown. Some, like Pansy and Milicent, were ignoring the impending OWLs, half-expecting that they would fade if they didn't think about them. Others, like Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco, lashed out on others, especially first and second-years, taking advantage of being in the Inquisitorial Squad to subtract points.

Daphne, her sister Astoria, Blaise, Theo, and Cass, however, decided to study together. They had claimed the seating area near the grand panel of tinted glass overlooking the lake and were chatting amiably while trying to finish their homework.

"Look at what I have here!" Blaise had exclaimed, taking some candied almonds out of a bag. Daphne let out an excited scream, immediately eating one.

"Seriously, these things are a drug." She then said, still chewing.

Her sister called her out for being gross, to which she replied by opening her mouth wide to show her the contents. After nearly everyone expressed their disgust, she resigned.

"Fine, all right, have it your way, I'm disgusting." She mocked, letting out a laugh.

The atmosphere tensed as Draco entered the room.

Blaise nudged Cass in the ribs, rolling his eyes. She smiled before turning her attention to the newcomer.

"So, Draco." She called his attention as he was walking to the dormitories. He glared at her. "Did you do enough point-taking for today?"