The Oracle in the Night

chapter 7 - old foes and new chaos

Remus began, 

Cassiopeia didn't know whether to be flattered or irritated by the whispers that followed her around Hogwarts. They whispered her name furtively, gossiped about her scar and her sorting as she walked past them in the halls.

"That is just rude." Alice Fortescue spoke up. 

Some had awe in their voices, some were vicious, talking in hushed voices about how she was turning traitor. Cassie couldn't help but scoff when she heard those. If only they all knew about the betrayal she had suffered, then they would know the real meaning of treacherous.

"How can she be a traitor when she hasn't even done anything yet. That is just disgraceful to judge her just because she's more cunning than chivalrous." Euphemia Potter said. 

At least Perseus had stuck by her side, never straying from his loyalty to her. And for that she would be forever grateful. 

But she let those whispers wash over her as she instead took to exploring the castle in her free time.

Professor McGonagall groaned knowing that she is just like her father in that aspect, while all the Marauder's smirk thinking about a specific map.

Hogwarts was full of trick doors and vanishing steps, twisting halls and hidden passageways and Cassiopeia wasted no time in learning her surroundings, she wanted to know more than everyone else. 

She woke up two hours before breakfast every day, and dragged Perseus along to explore the ancient castle. The bonus of her obsessive behavior was that she was usually one of the first to class, giving her ample time to create a good first impression on her new professors.

"First impressions are always important no matter who you are meeting." Orion Black informs everyone, while most of the purebloods agree with his words.

On Wednesday nights they had astronomy. Cassie already had a passing knowledge of the night sky, muggle science seemingly far more advanced in comparison to the wizards.

A lot of witches and wizards look at the book in indignation, while the muggle-borns all agree knowing it is true. Abraxas Malfoy scoffs and asks how, when a muggleborn Hufflepuff says, "The muggles have had people walk on the moon before." All of the witches and wizards who weren't muggle-raised all look at her in shock.

Three times a week Cassie had to suffer through Herbology, she was somewhat a fan of the subject.

Professor Sprout looked slightly put-out by her statement.

It reminded her too much of being forced to tend to Aunt Petunia's' garden when she was still at Privet Drive.

'oh' Professor Sprout thinks, making note to find a way to make her classes more fun but also informative.

History of magic was tragically boring and Cassiopeia found herself once again questioning Dumbledore's decisions when she was forced to sit through an hour of Binns' ghostly teachings.

 She would often look towards Perseus with an incredulous look on her face, but he could only shrug. 

He must not have known what Dumbledore was thinking either. 

"Why do we still have Binns as a teacher? All he teaches is Goblin Wars." Many of the students ask. Many of the teachers make note of that as well, to find a history teacher to replace Binns.

Defense would have been interesting if they actually had a competent teacher, instead Cassiopeia, Perseus, and the rest of Hogwarts had to suffer through an hour of a stuttering fool lecturing her and have her nose assaulted with the scent of garlic that was so strong it caused a curious pounding in her head.