Fate and Destiny

Chapter 2

Anxious, Cassie knocked on the door. She pulled at her sleeves as she waited for the door to open. Eventually it did and revealed Aberforth Dumbledore.
“What do you want?” he asked sharply.
“I need help,” she said. “He came to me, Aberforth. He came to me and tortured me about the Hallows, I don’t know what to do, please help me.”
“Those Hallows killed Ariana,” he said coldly. “You didn’t help us then, why should I help you now?”

He shut the door in her face and Cassie knocked again, hoping he’d return.
“Aberforth, please!”

She had no response.

Sighing, Cassie turned and started to leave. She wasn’t exactly sure where Albus lived. She had heard that he was the transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts but it was the summer, he wouldn’t be at Hogwarts. She had an idea of where he had moved to, but she didn’t know if he still lived there.

She stood in front of what she hoped was his front door, hoping that it was the right house.
“Albus,” she said, sighing in relief. “I’m so glad I’ve found you, I need your help.”
“Cassandra,” he said, somewhat coldly. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Gellert.” Albus looked as though he too wanted to slam the door in her face but instead he paused before opening the door and inviting her inside.

He offered her sweets as she sat down in his living room. He sat opposite, crossing one leg over the other.
“So what is it about him?”
“He came to me, he tortured me, Albus,” she said. He had been such a sweet boy when they were younger. “He wanted to know what I knew about the Hallows and he wanted me to join him.”
“Did you tell him what you knew?” he asked.
“Of course I did, he used the Cruciatus curse on me,” she said. Had he expected her to resist? Even after what he knew of her?

“I understand,” he said calmly. He looked down at his tea, Cassie had refused a cup.
“No, you don’t. You haven’t talked to him since that summer and now I have. He’s changed Albus, you have to have heard some of the rumours.” Cassie had easily heard the rumours about what he had been planning, that some families were siding with him. When once he had wanted to live without fear of Muggles, now he talked of dominating them and how their lack of magic made them inferior.
“He has no reason to hurt you again, not if you’ve told him everything.” Cassie frowned. She had told him everything and he had still asked her to join him afterwards.

“We could put wards up at your house,” he said. “I don’t know what else we can do.”
“He’ll know they’re there,” she said, shaking her head. “And I can put those up myself. I can’t move because he’ll know I’m trying to get away. I can’t even apparate anywhere.” Cassie’s frown deepened. She had never been able to get the hang of apparating, she always ended up splinching herself.
“Stay in touch,” said Albus. “If I think of anything, I can tell you and I will think of something.”

Cassie stood, sighing as she headed to the front door. Albus didn’t know what to do and she wasn’t sure if it was because he truly didn’t know or because he still liked Gellert. Cassie knew the two had always been closer than she had been to either of them. Homosexuality was illegal but Cassie didn’t see what was wrong with it. Maybe Albus’ feelings got in the way, but all Cassie hoped for was that Gellert didn’t return and visit her again.