BY fates design

Gladiolus

September came and went, the students of Hogwarts quickly settling back into the rhythm of their school lives. Idle chatter and youthful laughter bounced endlessly off the castle's stone walls and drifted through winding corridors. Quidditch tryouts passed by, Achlys, Jake, Fred and George making the team once again with the addition of Ginny.

The marauders cheered obnoxiously at the mention of quidditch, grinning like fools as they hollered and laughed. Over with the Slytherins, Regulus and Evan clapped politely, both current members of the quidditch team themselves.

Outside, Cassiopeia sat by the edge of the Black Lake, Achlys, Neville and Luna with her as they soaked in the last of the summer warmth. Each of them entertained themselves, Achlys was reading, Neville was playing with Puck (Achlys' kneazel kitten), Luna was weaving a flower crown and Cassiopeia was sketching the Giant Squid as it broke through the surface of the lake.

"Siopeia?" Achlys broke the silence, sliding her bookmark into her copy of The Iliad (a gift from Cassiopeia).

"Yes, Betty?" Cassiopeia set down her own sketchbook, turning to look at the blonde beside her, their voices catching the attention of both Luna and Neville too.

"What do you think about these Tri-Wizard Tournaments? They can't be a good idea." She asked, looking for the Princess' input on the latest school issue.

Cassiopeia hummed in thought, trying to think of the best way to phrase her viewpoint. "I feel as though it poses many risks," she started, "there is good reason it was cancelled and forgotten so many years ago. The death rate was far too high to justify with entertainment. I believe that this year will see at least one death, though hopefully I am wrong. It is just, nothing about this feels well thought out. Dumbledore is suggesting bringing students from outside the Magical Britannia into the country where the risk of the Dark Lord rising is looming over us. He is unnecessarily putting more children at risk. But that is just my opinion."

Many had to agree with her, finding little sense in Dumbledore's decision to bring back the games at all, let alone offer to host them in Voldemort's main target. Slowly but surely, many of the 'light' supporters were being warn down, their blind faith in Dumbledore crumbling with each unjustified action.

The other three teens listened in silence, fully agreeing with her viewpoint on the games. It felt ridiculous to bring children, that would be otherwise unaffected by the rise of Voldemort, into the very place he would likely target.

Silence lapped over them again as they each went back to what they were previously doing. Sighing quietly, Cassiopeia reached for the pocket watch around her neck, checking the time before standing up. "I have to go, I have a meeting with Daphne and the Gladiolus Unit. Luna, are you coming." She said, brushing down her school skirt and extending her hand to the young blonde.

Waving goodbye, they left the other teens and headed back up to the castle. Humming softly, Luna stayed close to Cassiopeia's side, their arms linked as they wandered through the school and up to the seventh floor.

Pandora smiled a little, her cheeks rosy and voice soft. "Thank you for looking after my daughter for me." Her crystal eyes settled on Cassiopeia, studying her with an expression that eluded to a greater knowledge than she let on.

As they approached the Room of Requirements, they found Eleana, Astoria and Daphne already waiting for them. Smiling, they greeted each other before entering the Room of Requirements, the space taking shape as a conference room with a large enough round table to accommodate them all.

Sitting down, Eleana and Daphne took their places on either side of Cassiopeia, Daphne laying out a collection of notebooks, folders and other documents. "Let us begin, yes?" Cassiopeia looked around the table, ensuring everyone was present and paying attention, before motioning for Daphne to start.