SNAKE - Regulus Black

Chapter five ~ Crossroads

   AUTHOR'S NOTE ; This chapter is dedicated to Maggie Smith (Professor McGonnagal)

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Cassandra walked briskly towards the castle, her arms crossed tightly against the chill that had settled in as evening approached. She had just reached the top of the stone steps when she collided with someone. She looked up, and there he was—Regulus, blocking her path, his face set with determination.

"Cassandra, wait," he called, his voice low and insistent.

She barely spared him a glance, her expression a mixture of annoyance and weariness. Without a word, she stepped to the side, attempting to bypass him, but Regulus moved with her, his eyes pleading. "Please, just listen to me."

"I have nothing to say to you, Regulus." Her voice was cold as ice, but it cracked just slightly, betraying the emotions she was trying to mask.

"Why do you always have to be so stubborn?" Regulus asked, his frustration breaking through. "I'm just trying to protect you!"

"And I've told you I don't need your protection," Cassandra snapped back. "Especially not from you. Not when you're still supporting everything that's wrong." She could feel her face flush with anger, the familiar tension building up inside her chest.

Regulus reached out as if to grab her arm, but she pulled away, her eyes blazing. "Enough, Regulus. Just stay out of my way."

She turned and marched into the castle, her footsteps echoing through the empty corridor. Her heart pounded furiously, and she fought to push the argument out of her mind. The last thing she needed was for him to ruin her evening, especially when all she wanted was to find some peace and quiet. Without thinking much of it, she headed straight for the library, the one place where she could usually find a sense of calm.

As she entered the library, the familiar scent of old books filled her senses, the dim, warm light flickering from candles perched on tall sconces. She made her way down one of the aisles, trying to collect herself.

"Ms. St. Clair?"

Cassandra jumped slightly at the sound of Professor McGonagall's voice. She turned to see the tall, stern professor looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Professor," Cassandra said, her voice still shaking slightly. "I didn't see you there."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze softening as she observed Cassandra. "You seem rather out of sorts, Ms. St. Clair. Would you care to join me for a moment?"

Cassandra stiffened, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I'm fine, Professor," she replied, her voice clipped. "Just... needed some air."

McGonagall studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced. "Sometimes it helps to talk things through, Cassandra. You may find that—"

"With all due respect, Professor, I'd rather not," Cassandra cut in, her tone sharper than intended. "I just want to be left alone right now."

The silence that followed was tense, and Cassandra could feel McGonagall's eyes on her, assessing. But the professor, after a pause, simply nodded. "Very well. But remember, Ms. St. Clair, my door is always open should you need it."

Cassandra nodded curtly, avoiding the professor's gaze as she turned away. She stalked off towards a far corner of the library, hoping that distancing herself from McGonagall would ease the discomfort growing inside her. She didn't need anyone's pity, least of all from a professor who could never understand.

As Cassandra walked further down the corridor, the silence was broken by a voice that made her jump. "Now, what has Minnie ever done to you?"

She spun around, her heart still racing, to find Remus leaning casually against the doorframe of an adjoining room, a playful smile on his lips. His eyes glinted with amusement as he watched her.

Cassandra let out a sigh, rolling her eyes but managing to keep her voice even. "Remus," she said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

Remus pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked towards her, a faint grin on his lips. "Couldn't resist. You looked like you were ready to hex someone into next week."

"Maybe I was," she muttered, her expression guarded. Remus was the only one of his friends she could tolerate—he was quiet, and he never seemed as insufferable as the others. But that didn't mean she trusted him, or wanted him to pry.

Remus raised an eyebrow, his grin softening. "You know, it's not every day someone brushes off Professor McGonagall like that. Must be something serious."

Cassandra frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't need a lecture, Remus. Least of all from you."

He held up his hands in mock surrender. "No lecture. Just an observation." He paused for a moment, studying her expression before continuing in a quieter tone, "If you need someone to talk to, though, you know where to find me."

She gave a curt nod, her voice cool. "Noted. But I'm fine."

Remus didn't push further, simply nodding before stepping aside, letting her continue down the corridor. Cassandra took a deep breath and walked away, her thoughts already drifting back to the argument with Regulus.

Unbeknownst to her, the Gryffindor boy watched her with soft eyes as she walked down the corridor.