Memories Of Them

Chapter 9- I Am Not Fragile!

Cassie had never been to the Headteachers office and had no idea where she was going, she was just following Madame Maxime through the corridor like a lost puppy. Once they got to the third floor Cassie was completely confused, they turned down a corridor that Cassie had always assumed was deserted and stood in front of a small light blue door. Madame Maxime pulled out her wand with a flourish and muttered something under her breath whilst completing a complicated hand motion, with a click the small door swung open. Beyond the door was a short corridor, on either side the walls were lined with beautiful stained glass windows depicting beautiful scenes of nature throughout the seasons. Cassie could have stood in that corridor marvelling at the stained glass for hours. The door at the other end of the corridor swung open as soon as Madame Maxime approached it, ahead was a beautifully ornate spiral staircase. Following the headmistress up the staircase Cassie entered one of the most charming rooms she had ever seen. The room was circular with most of the walls being taken up by large windows, giving a panoramic view of the entire grounds. In the centre of the room stood a light wood desk, with an imposing green high backed leather chair behind it.

Madame Maxime walked straight to her desk and sat down, gesturing for Cassie to sit in the brown leather chair opposite.

"I'm sorry to be rude, Professor, but what am I doing here?" questioned Cassie nervously, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress.

"How do you feel about our delegation choices?" Madame Maxime shot back, not answering Cassie's question.

"I am sure that a lot of thought went into all of your choices. I know that you choose the people that you believed would represent the school the best," Cassie responded, trying to keep her voice level.

"A very diplomatic answer Miss Vaughn," Madame Maxime chuckled, a twinkle in her eye.

"But alas I will stop dancing around the real reason you are here. I want you to join the Beauxbatons delegation. I know you put your name down on the list," Madame Maxime said, Cassie felt her eyes go wide.

"But you didn't read out my name, Professor," Cassie stated, a look of disbelief.

"Well that is why you are here Miss Vaughn. I have been in contact with your father since the beginning of the year. He sent me an owl in the summer to explain what occurred at the World Cup," the look of sympathy on the Headmistress' face was beginning to wind Cassie up.

"I feel as though I am spending my days telling people I am fine, professor, really. I'm up to date with all of my classes, I've completed all of my homework on time and achieved some of my best test results ever!" Cassie interrupted.

She had thought that coming back to school would provide some sense of normality, allowing her to move on from the events of the World Cup and forget about that night. However it appeared that her friends and the faculty had very different ideas, it was as though everyone was walking on eggshells around her. People were constantly checking up on her, offering her unsolicited advice or a listening ear and she was beginning to get sick of it. She hated the sympathetic glances that were thrown her way and the whispered conversations her friends had behind her back. The nightmares and constant pain from her unhealed shoulder wound were enough of a reminder, she didn't need other people's anxieties feeding her own.

"I have been keeping a close eye on you, Miss Vaughn. I agree that you have settled into your 5th year incredibly well. All of your professors are delighted with the work you are producing and test results you have achieved thus far. Academically I cannot fault you. However your father is not only worried about your mental and physical health, he is worried about your continued safety whilst you are away at school," Madame Maxime continued.