𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑊𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠

𝘛𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦

 
     𝐎nce again, Hermione was a step closer to finding the culprit of their mystery. And she'd bet that Slytherin girl was behind it all.

"Remember what I told you," Hermione whispered in Harry and Ron's ear as they went to their Potion's seat.

"Listen up the lot of you," Snape spoke aloud. "This week you'll be concocting Veritaserum in pairs." Harry looked at Ron, their eyes matching. As usual, they'll be pairing- "and I've decided whom you'll be working with." Harry could've sworn he saw Snape glance at him with that slimy look of his.

"...Weasley with Goyle," Professor Snape ordered. "Zabini with Longbottom, Hermione and Sung-" Harry sighed. Mr. Snape heard him and he swiveled his head at his direction. "Is there a problem, Potter?"

"No, sir."

Snape's eyes lingered at him suspiciously. "Then I expect you to work diligently with Malfoy for today."

"Professor!" Draco and Harry shouted in disbelief.

"I do hope I'm not hearing retaliation," Professor Snape snapped, "am I?"

"No, sir," the boys muttered.

"Good, now all of you get a move on. I want this potion ready to mature by the end of this class."

All the students shuffled to their partners. Although Ron and Harry carried heavy hearts to their seats, Hermione was absolutely ecstatic.

"Hello," she greeted the girl with a hand out. "The name's Hermione." The Slytherin didn't respond, earning a confused expression from Granger. "Hello?"

Her partner blinked and looked at her properly. "Oh, I'm sorry," she finally spoke. "My name's Cassiopeia, Cassiopeia Sung." She grabbed Hermione's still awaiting hand and shook it. Then she swiftly transitioned to potion-making.

"You seem to know what you're doing already," Hermione complimented. A twinge of pink bloomed on Cassiopeia's ears.

"I quite fancy brewing potions. I'm not as proficient in other aspects of witchcraft."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that." Hermione grinned, but internally, the gears in her head were whirring. If she's not advanced in spells or charms, then it would be impossible for her to be the perpetrator.

"You wouldn't mind handing me lavender, do you?" Sung asked politely.

"Not at all," Hermione stuttered, snapping out of her thoughts. She quickly fetched a pinch of the light purple petals, and handed it over.

"Thank you," the girl answered.

"You're awfully polite for a Slytherin," Hermione accidentally slipped out. "No offense," she added quickly.

Instead of getting angry, the latter only laughed lightly. "I get that a lot. Draco doesn't necessarily give off the best impression on people." She whisked the wooden spoon clockwise.

"Are you close with him?" Hermione prodded, "you're always together from what I've seen."

"He's quite overprotective," she smiled, "but we grew up together," the black haired girl hummed. "He's practically family to me."

"Watch out!"

There was a crash and in the center of the chaos was Ron and Draco drenched in a slimy green liquid. Harry stood on the side. Some of the failed potions splattered on his clothes and glasses. Everyone stopped their movements, watching as if a duel was taking place.

"Oh Merlin," Hermione whispered.

"You have no idea what you've done," Draco seethed. "My father will hear about this, do you hear me?!"

"Always running back to daddy aren't you Malfoy?" Ron spat. "You're the one who bumped into me in the first place!" The two stepped closer and closer, their fists balled up.

"You were the one who came to the table and spilt it on purpose!"

"Ron didn't do it on purpose," Harry intervened. "It was a mistake."

"Here comes little Potter to the rescue, isn't it?" Draco mocked. "If it's my father that I run to, then it's Potter for you!"

"Why I oughta-"

"What is going on?" A nasally voice cut through the palpable tension. Snape pulled back his cloak when he caught sight of the green fluid everywhere. His eyes narrowed and he glared at Ron, Malfoy, and Harry. "You three, clean this up immediately and detention this Friday afternoon: 7 o' clock. 50 points off Gryffindor for causing this mess. Do I make myself clear?"

"But professor," Harry tried to speak but was cut off.

"Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?"

"Yes, sir."

Cassiopeia frowned, but continued brewing the potion. Hermione simply sighed. "So much for the plan," she muttered.

.