Enemies Working Together

12

Cassiopeia learns that Voldemort will be staying at Malfoy Manor and actually meets him before she goes back. His pale face is terrifying to look at and so are his red eyes. Cassiopeia doesn't flinch when she sees him, playing the part of a fascinated pureblood girl quite well.

"My lord," She says, staring at his red eyes, even though every part of her wants to run and hide. "It is such an honor to have you in our home."

"What a lovely daughter you have, Lucius," Voldemort says, smiling coldly at Cassiopeia. "Reminds me a lot of Bellatrix. You know Bellatrix, I presume, Cassiopeia is it?"

"Yes my name is Cassiopeia and of course I know Aunt Bellatrix. She is an extraordinarily powerful witch." Naracissia wraps her arm around her shoulders and leads her from the drawing room. Cassiopeia is internally shaking from the way Voldemort's snake-like red eyes followed her. Cassiopeia sends a quick letter to Nymphadora explaining what happened in code in case it gets intercepeted. When she goes downstairs for dinner, she is pleased when Voldemort didn't join them. Lucius smiles proudly at her.

"Well done, my darling daughter. The Dark Lord is very pleased with our family and particularly you. I see your teenage rebellion is over."

"Of course, Father. I am pleased that The Dark Lord is pleased and I, once again, apologize for my rebellion. I took it too far." Lucius waves her off and they all eat in silence. No one says anything about her being at the station with Andromea. The hoildays pass and soon Cassiopeia is back at Hogwarts and wishing she wasn't spying on her family, that she could be with Ron and have her family. All these thoughts were done behind the shield in her mind that protected her thoughts from anyone trying to read them. Dumbledore still tests her and is amazed that her shield is inpentrenable, even to him.

Umbridge cracks down even harder with rules, making it harder and harder for Cassiopeia and Ron to meet up. They do their best but it is difficult. Umbridge finds out about the DA, a defense organization made up of Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors, lead by Harry, who actually teaches them defensive magic. Cassiopeia is a part of the group who catches them and actually is the one who catches Ron.

'Why the bloody hell are you doing this, Cass?' Cassiopeia doesn't think back a response, just makes sure that the shield in her mind is built strong so Ron can't get through. Umbridge praises the Slytherins and tells them that Fudge is also pleased with them, which to Cassiopeia doesn't sound like the compliment that Umbridge meant it as. Ron, now refuses to look at her or meet up with her, until she explains and she offers no explaination because she isn't allowed to tell him the truth.

Cassiopeia feels very lonely, despite being surrounded by people. She knows that half of that lonliness is Ron's but she feels burdened to carry it all. George and Ginny seem pleased that Ron is no longer even looking at Cassiopeia while Fred watches her carefully, trying to figure out what changed. Everyone can tell that Ron isn't happy but only Cassiopeia, George, Ginny, and Fred know why.

'I wish Fred would go back to just pranking me and not asking me how I am doing every day. It is so irritating.' Cassiopeia hears but doesn't respond because she know he won't want her to. Cassiopeia learns of what they are doing, going to the ministry to save Sirius, and quickly breaks into Dumbledore's office and heads to the ministry herself. She hopes to save them from the Death Eaters without the Death Eaters discovering what she is doing.

She watches the battle invisibly with a frown and she can't stop everyone from getting hurt but at least she stops Sirius from getting killed. Bellatrix looks around to see who stopped her curse but everyone looks confused on who stopped it. Cassiopeia thinks that Bellatrix is going to be pissed when she finds out her niece is the one who stopped it. Dumbledore soon arrives and gets a hold of the Death Eaters and Cassiopeia, no longer fearing for everyone's lives, heads back to the school.

When the papers tell of her father's arrest, Draco and Cassiopeia's standing as pureblood royalty drops. Cassiopeia doesn't care but Draco is badly hurt by it. He complains about Saint Potter and his band of idiots, Cassiopeia barely contains herself from snarling at him, and how they always get away with stuff. The papers also confirm what Harry was saying all along, that Voldemort has returned.

A couple days before school lets out, Cassiopeia bumps into Ron who drags her into an empty classroom and demands an answer to his question from weeks ago. Cassiopeia stares at him with a blank look and in her mind, she is sobbing because she just wants to be with him but she has a mission to complete.

"Cass! Please, I just want to know what is going on! You have been acting strangely since Christmas hoildays." Ron pleads with her, looking sadder than she has ever seen him.

"I decided that I couldn't live my life without my family and if that means losing you, then I guess we're done." She says, calmly. She had practiced these words so they flowed naturally, knowing a confrontation was coming.

"Cass, if we're done, we die. You know that right? Is your family really worth dying over?" He asks, looking angry now.

"I am sorry, Ron. But this is my decision. Maybe one day, we can be together but not right now. Not with our families on opposite sides of this. We are just too different." Cassiopeia says, before walking out of the classrom, feeling both her and Ron's hearts shatter in a million pieces. The next morning, she meets with Dumbledore and Moody who tell her that she has to take the potion every summer and that it lasts the whole summer. She mutely nods and Moody leaves the office.

"Something bothering you, Ms. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asks, kindly.

"Yes of course something is bothering me, headmaster," Cassiopeia basically spits out the word headmaster in rage, "I have to lie to a lot of people, not mention I just had to shatter my soulmate's heart because of the mission you gave me. I wish I could tell Ron so I don't lose him. But I am not allowed to TELL ANYONE, NOT EVEN THE PERSON I LOVE MOST IN THIS WORLD!" She screams at Dumbledore, who sits there watching her calmly.

"I understand your frustration Ms. Malfoy but I promise you that Mr. Weasley will understand that you were doing what you had to. I do still have the paper that states you are my spy so that should help your cause, not to mention Alastor and Nymphadora will vouch for you." Cassiopeia just turns and leaves, feeling very angry but not letting it show. School ends and Cassiopeia goes home to see that Voldemort has taken over her house. This summer is going to be interesting.