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𝐃espite the dim lights, Harry spots a hunched figure in the middle of the stone floor. His heart leaps and he scrambles over to the person.
"Cass-!"
Draco immediately pulls him back and covers Potter's mouth. Harry feels the Slytherin tremble in what seems to be fear. At the same time, a figure drops from above with a greedy look in their eyes. Their arms are out, one hand gripping a shard of glass that digs into their skin. Blood drips down, creating a puddle of deep red.
Harry's eyes widen as his heart shatters into millions of pieces. Hermione gasps and unconsciously clings to Ron's sweater vest.
The one before them was Cassiopeia. But at the same time, it wasn't. This person in front of Harry doesn't have the subtle clumsiness that Cassiopeia has whenever she stumbles over her words, or the kindness in her doe-like eyes. It's as if every being that made Cassiopeia, Cassiopeia disappeared without a trace.
"What in the name of Merlin happened?" Hermione whispers. Her grip on Ron's vest tightens.
"It's never been this bad until the past few months," Draco answers softly. "I thought she was getting better, but something happened overnight and she just switched."
Harry pulls Draco's hand away from his mouth. "When does she turn back?" he asks.
"Bright lights usually do the trick," Malfoy responds. He pulls out his wand from his cloak sleeve. "But we have to knock her out or she'll try to attack us again."
"Are you kidding?!" Harry whisper-shouts. "We're not just gonna knock her out like that, it's rude!"
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," Draco groaned, "now is not the time for you to act so 'heroic' when Cass is acting like a rabid animal!"
"Guy-"
"Excuse me for having the decency for not resorting to rude gestures like you do!"
"It's not like I'm putting her under an Unforgivable Curse!"
"There's really more-"
"What else do I expect from a Malfoy, of all people!"
"How dare you insult my family!"
Hermione and Ron glance at each other.
"GUYS!"
"Stay out of this!" both Harry and Draco shout simultaneously.
With a screech Cassiopeia leaps forward and attempts the scratch the boys with her glass. The two jump out of the way and tumble on the cold floor.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Hermione chants. "Open the drapes you bickering fools! Ron, grab a thick rope!"
The boys scramble away in obedience and Hermione huffs in annoyance. She concentrates on the wrangling girl suspended in the air and she can only stare in pity.
