𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 1

"Dad, seriously, you've been saying this since morning like a broken record," Cassiopeia groaned, rolling her eyes.

"It's not a joke, Cassie. You can't go searching for Sirius," Regulus replied, exasperated.

"But what if we accidentally cross paths? Can I curse him at least... pretty please?" Cassie pleaded, her grey eyes sparkling.

"No, Cassie. He's a murderer. Promise me you'll use the bracelet I gave you if you see him. Tap it twice, and I'll come right away."

Cassie nodded, disappointed, though secretly doubting she'd ever need to use it. There was no way she'd let her father risk his life.

Regulus couldn't help but shake his head at Cassie's disappointed expression on not being able to risk her life; she reminded him so much of Sirius at times.

"Come on, Cassie. Look on the bright side. You have the new Dark Arts book I gave you for Christmas," he said, trying to lift her spirits.

Cassie's face immediately lit up. She had always had a knack for dark magic and wandless spells, though she had only mastered disarming wandlessly so far.

"Okay, listen," Regulus said, placing his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gray gaze. "Promise me you'll stay safe. Please."

"Of course, Dad. Me and trouble? Never," Cassie replied with a smirk.

"Yes, of course... my little star," Regulus said, pulling her into a hug.

"Kreacher!"

The old house-elf appeared, wearing a crooked smile.

"Apparate her to the station. The Malfoys must be waiting."

"Right away, Master," Kreacher replied, beckoning for Cassie to follow.

"Okay," Cassie said, grabbing her trunk and giving her dad one last smile.

"Bye, Dad."

Regulus stood in the doorway, a heavy feeling settling in his chest as he listened to the crack of apparition echoing through the empty house. It was a sound he had grown accustomed to over the years, yet this time, it filled him with a sense of foreboding.

It was a nagging sensation that had been gnawing at him for days, growing stronger as the time for Cassie's departure drew nearer.

He couldn't help but feel something is gonna go wrong this year.

**********************************************************

Cassiopeia Black

She was formidable, with her black curly hair... and the rumored Black family madness surrounding her. It was no wonder Theo hadn't approached her first.

He, Draco, and Blaise had been roommates, just as Cassie, Pansy, and Daphne were. Cassie was reserved, rarely speaking to anyone except Draco, her cousin. The rest of them were greeted with nods or small waves if Cassie was feeling particularly benevolent.

But Pansy was persistent. She wore Cassie down until they became friends.

And as for Theo and Blaise, let's say they managed to get into a brawl with the seniors in their second year... and were... uhm... definitely not on the winning side.

Cassiopeia happened to saunter by at just the right moment... sensing the situation, she immediately stepped up.

"Is there a problem here?" Her grey eyes giving the renowned Black death stare.

The seniors looked like they were gonna piss their pants out of fear. They immediately opened their mouth perhaps for a curse... they never got to know, as the second later they were hurled across the hall by a powerful spell from Cassie.