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DRACO STARED AT CASSIOPEIA AS IF SHE WERE THE MOST DISGUSTING THING TO EVER WALK THE EARTH. He walked up to her and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. Ron struggled in Warrington's grip but Cassiopeia shot him a look that told him not to make it worse. Draco searched her face, looking for any trace of shame or remorse. He was trying to find a reason why she would do this, why she would be involved in whatever scheme Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore made. When Cassiopeia kept her expression stony and showed no amount of guilt, Draco let go of her and shook his head.
"I can't believe you, Cassiopeia," He scowled. She could hear the hurt and betrayal in his voice, though he tried to mask it. "Fraternizing with the enemy? Helping Potter and Dumbledore? What is wrong with you?"
Cassiopeia felt part of her heart shatter as she realized just how hurt he was. She spoke softly, "Draco... I'm sorry. But you understand why I had to do this, right? I need to be prepared. The day will come and I need to protect them. I need to protect myself." Cassiopeia knew that Draco understood she was talking about her siblings and the Death Eaters. His face contorted from a look of betrayal to one of anger as she spoke. "I didn't mean for all of this happen to this way. I didn't mean to hurt you. You're my best friend. You understand that, surely?"
"Was. I was your best friend. You once asked me if I was willing to throw away all our years of friendship. And you know what? I am." Draco sneered at her as if she were scum on the bottom of his shoe. Cassiopeia felt tears well in her eyes. She was losing him. "You're turning your back on everything you've ever known. Turning your back on your family, turning your back on Slytherin... Turning your back on me. You have no loyalty."
"Loyalty? You want to talk about loyalty? I did this, all of this, because of my loyalty. My loyalty to Thalia and Zethus... My loyalty to you!" Tears started to fall from Cassiopeia's eyes and she ignored the smug look on Pansy Parkinson's face. "I did this to protect them! To protect myself! To protect you!"
"I don't need someone like you to protect me. You must think I'm stupid, don't you? You've been sneaking off all year, gone for hours at a time." Draco took a threatening step towards Cassiopeia and Ron struggled in Warrington's grip. "Do you honestly think nobody noticed? You think nobody started to put pieces together?" When Cassiopeia didn't reply, Draco harshly screamed at her and threw his hands up, "You're just not going to answer?!"
"Cassie-"
The room went suddenly still at the sound of Ron's voice. He had said her name barely above a whisper, but it was still heard. He didn't mean to say it, it just slipped out. When Draco threw his hands up, Ron thought he was going to hit her. He didn't want to make things worse, truly.
Draco turned to look at the nervous expression Ron was making before glancing back at the tender face Cassiopeia was giving him. It clicked. He snarled in rage and clenched his fist around his wand. It was taking everything in him not to curse Ron Weasley right now.
