Post Tenebras Lux

Chapter Eighteen

"Oh, this is going to be good," Rabastan whispered to her, "We'll be able to torment everyone here!"

Cassiopeia glared at him, "That's not what you are supposed to be taking away from this lesson, Rab."

"So? I'm taking something far more useful away," Rabastan told her, "Why else would I care about boggarts?"

"Aren't you scared that people will know what you fear?" 

"No, they are all too scared of me! Not even your cousin would dare."

Cassiopeia glanced back at the four boys, "I'm not so sure of that. They are Gryffindors, you know all that brave rubbish."

"If they try anything against me, I'll hex them."

"And are you better at hexing?"

"I'm the best there is."

"You haven't duelled me yet."

Rabastan laughed as the class all lined up, ready to take on their Boggart. 

A small Gryffindor was up first and her hand shook furiously as she held her wand up. A large snake slid out of the cupboard and grew bigger as it hissed at the girl. 

Rabastan burst out laughing and even Cassie found it a little funny, "Now isn't that ironic. Why in merlins beard would you be scared of a snake?" Rabastan raised his voice a little, "Clearly not as brave as their house wants everyone to believe. Scared of serpents, how weak."

Rabastan was suddenly pushed back as Potter made his way forward, "How about you shut it, Lestrange. No one needs your commentary."

"Stop trying to be a hero, Potter. Now run off back to your pesky little group."

Potter went to retort but Cassiopeia stepped in between the two, "How about you both shut up and let us get on with the lesson. Now shoo Potter."

It wasn't long until it was Cassiopeia's turn. She stared at the cupboard, wondering what she was about to face. She was stumped. 

The door opened and several dark figures started to walk towards her, getting closer and closer to her. Cassiopeia's body froze as a coldness overcome her. She knew who the figures were. One drew closer to her and then moved her veil so her face was partially visible. Her hair was a dark brown and extremely frizzy, and a sadistic grin was clear. The whole class guessed it was Bellatrix Lestrange but Cassiopeia knew who it really was. She had spent thirteen years staring at those eyes in the mirror. 

"Riddikulus," She shouted causing the dark figures to all turn into clowns and start to dance wildly together. 

She stepped back, allowing the next student to go. 

Cassiopeia was in shock as she processed what had just happened. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, while some people were scared of something silly like snakes, she was fearful of herself. 

Down the queue, Sirius turned to his friends with a hopeful expression, "No, please don't say whatever you are planning to say," James told him immediately, "We don't want to hear the rubbish you've concocted up."

"Mate, I'm telling you, this means she's not like the rest of our family. She's scared of them.  She's more like me than I ever knew. This is hopeful. It was Bellatrix right, so why would she be afraid of her sister?"

James frowned, "It wasn't Bellatrix unless she looks exactly like Cassiopeia."

"What?"

"It was definitely Cass- Black as the boggart."

"No, it wasn't. James, I know what my cousins look like. Anyway, doesn't this prove that she doesn't want to be one of them?"

Remus answered before James could say anything more, "Sirius, you are reading into this too much. You sound like one of the girls that annoy you."

Cassiopeia sat down and watched as it was Lupin's turn. The tall boy looked petrified and Cassiopeia frowned as she waited to see what his biggest fear was. A moon appeared which only confused her more as she wondered why he could possibly be scared of something so mundane as that unless - 

"Cassiopeia" Rabastan broke her train of thoughts, "What was your boggart about? Bellatrix?"

"You know what my sister's like. She has a sharp tongue."