Friends, Foes and War

࣪𖤐 Y5 | 5 . Sparks returned

➵ END OF BEGINNING — DJO
'And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it. Another version of me, I was in it.'

On the following Friday morning, Cassie is in Potions with Ron, Enzo and Harry. Cassie didn't fancy sitting with Theo, Mattheo and Pansy so she decides to sit with the others. Umbridge sneaks her way in silently, standing at the back of the potions classroom. She's been evaluating all Professors recently, something Dumbledore clearly doesn't like.

Snape has that usual grim look on his face— which for some odd reason, comforts Cassie. It's like nothing had changed. When in reality, almost everything has changed.

"Black, Berkshire, move back to your usual seats. You know you don't sit there, don't think of me as a fool." Snape orders, earning a groan from the pair. Cassie's usual seat is beside Mattheo, opposite Pansy and Draco.

She unwillingly picks her bag up and makes her way to her seat. Her and Enzo share a worried look, the awkward silence making them both equally as uneasy. Mattheo and Draco simply stare at Cassie as she takes her seats. Cassie shoots Pansy a look that says "Help!" when she sits down.

Majority of the lesson is spent in silence, Umbridge watching from afar. This is only a theory lesson so she'd chosen the wrong time to come and evaluate Snape.

As they write down their theory on the Draught of Peace, Umbridge makes her way to the front of the classroom, inspecting Snape's desk. "You applied first for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, is that correct?" she pipes up, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Yes." replies Snape, glumly.

"But you were unsuccessful?" she pouts.

Snape takes a moment before responding, the class in utter silence. "Obviously."

Cassie almost lets her laugh slip out and she covers her mouth with her hand to stop it from escaping. She looks to her right and sees Mattheo doing the same thing. The both of them burst into laughter at the exact same time, their hands flying away from their mouths. It's like old times— laughing with her best friends with Snape prowling behind them.

The laughter doesn't last long before Umbridge walks out and Snape approaches them. He pulls out a piece of parchment and hits Cassie and Mattheo on the back of their heads. "Oi!" Mattheo exclaims, making her laugh again.

༻✦༺༻✦༺༻✦༺

Quidditch trials begin the same afternoon. Cassie has until Sunday to pick her team. Since Blaise and Lexi's positions are permanent, they're already a definite. Enzo will be remaining on the team after a brilliant run last year. The Quidditch House cup wasn't awarded to anyone last year after the events of the Final Task. Cassie is making it her mission to get it this year.

Mattheo and Theo don't turn up to trials. Instead, Draco does with Vincent Crabbe. Cassie converses with Enzo and Lexi as Blaise approaches Draco and Crabbe. Not everyone has arrived yet so it gives Cassie time to sort herself out.

"Can you believe that? Malfoy? When has he ever wanted to do Quidditch?" Lexi asks.

"Since never. He called me a pathetic half-blood, an embarrassment to Slytherin in second year." Cassie snorts.

"Merlin." Lexi sighs.

"No Theo or Mattheo then." Enzo comments, surveying the crowd.

"I can't decide if that's a good thing or not." Cassie replies, toying with her bracelet.

"It's good short-term, but if you're all gonna make up soon and they don't bother showing up, they're gonna regret it and the team is definitely going to be affected." Lexi says.