What if Salazar Slytherin had another child that no one knew about? What if she'd been asleep all this time? What if the world suddenly found out about her existence? Well, he did and Cassandra Slytherin is her name.
The explosion clears but this time, the bald-headed freak is nowhere to be seen. My body feels drained and as I gingerly float down towards the ground my vision blurs.
????: Cassandra!
I look up as my feet touch the ground to find Mother running towards me. Seeing her makes me realise I'm finally safe causing the last of my strength to fade from my legs. I stumble forward but she catches me, pulling me close.
Bagnold: I've got you.
I take hold of her hands as they wrap around me and pull them tighter, losing myself in her embrace.
Moody: So much for needing our protection. The girls wiped out my entire team!
Dumbledore: Now, now, Alastor. Let's leave them be. There are more pressing matters at stake.
Moody: Indeed. The fact that He Who Must Not Be Named is back-
Bagnold: His name is Voldemort, Alastor. There's no use speaking in hushed tones. It won't stop him from killing you.
I'm surprised to hear her speak her words with such venom and it seems the others are just as surprised. She must have gone through a lot these past few days. I should have returned sooner.
Pulling her into a hug, I choose now to tell her that I love her and hope she continues being our mother. It cheers her up, as I'd hoped it would and as she squeals I reaffirm my words with a kiss on her cheek.
Erin: I-I'm sorry.
Looking up, I'm surprised to find Erin there. She's looking a bit better since the last time I saw her and as the memories of what I'd done come flooding back, I can't bring myself to look her in the eye. I can't even bring myself to respond to her directly.
Erin: I shouldn't have done that and I'm-
Pulling Mother closer, I ask her to tell Erin I'm the one that's sorry and that she has nothing to apologise for but Mother merely exclaims that I should do so myself. Standing, she helps me to my feet before exclaiming that they'll give us privacy. As everyone gets ready to walkway, however, the sky goes black as ominous clouds roll in.
Dumbledore: Dark Arts...
A skull appears in the sky with a snake crawling out of its mouth.
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Bagnold: The Dark Mark...of Voldemort.
Moody: It's both an announcement of his return and a call to all Death Eaters-
He's cut off as the snake opens its mouth and a voice booms across the field.
????: If you wish to see her again, find me where land meets the sea. Where there is a tomb beneath a tree.
The mark vanishes after the last word is spoken and for a second I haven't the slightest clue what it means but Erin is quick to point out that Valentina is missing.
For a split second, I can't believe her words but my disbelief is swiftly replaced by anger.
Me: He's referring to the place I woke up-
Bagnold: Surely, you're not thinking of going.
Me: Are you going to get in my way?
The others draw their wands at that but Mother remains calm and composed.
Bagnold: Either I go with you or no one goes.
Me: Fine.
I don't wait before having myself transported to the Slytherin common room where my sudden arrival scares the life out of more than a few students. Once they recover and have heard my words, a few leave stating that their familial ties mean they cannot join me against Voldemort.
After they leave, the others all kneel repledging themselves to follow me and soon we're busy preparing for what could very well be the fight of our lives. Given the situation, only the most experienced students with knowledge of both defensive and offensive spells are permitted to come along. This lowers our numbers drastically but also has the added benefit of limiting our losses due to inexperience.
By the time we're done preparing, we're joined by Dumbledore, Moody, Mother and some Aurors from the Ministry. Standing together, we're like a small army and yet I get the feeling that by ourselves we won't be enough...
Me: I-
Bagnold: Don't worry. We'll rescue her. That I promise for I won't let that filthy-
Dumbledore: Is everyone ready?
Me: Aren't you going to protest?
Dumbledore: Protest?
Me: The presence of even more students.
Dumbledore merely smiles before taking out his wand. There's a flash of light and then nothing, nothing but a flicker of light in the distance. It takes me a while to realise that we're inside a long hallway and that the flicker of light is a torch.
