Another Hogwarts Mystery

Chapter 7 - Beautiful Madness

When Casandra woke up the next morning, she was awake at once. Last night's memory filled her body with a prickling feeling from head to toe, making her shiver in excitement. She could not wait for the day to start. She wanted to see Snape so badly it almost hurt. I want him, she thought, I want him so bad. Our kiss was just a taster, and the start of a pleasure-loaded affair, she thought to herself. The thought of Snape touching her body with his soft and big hands made her bite back a moan. She shook her head, distracting herself from her arousing thoughts. I need a cold shower, she thought. Thus, she got up and tiptoed out of the dormitory.

After taking a shower, Casandra took longer than usual to get dressed. She put on extra makeup and her favourite cherry-red lipstick. Looking in the mirror, Casandra regarded herself. She opened her bun, revealing her magnificent head of curls. Even though she had let herself go since Benjamin's death, she was a breath-taking beauty—with or without makeup. Her blonde curls resembled a lion's mane. It suited her face and made her salamander-green eyes shine even brighter. They were filled with genuine happiness, which made her face shine as if it was made of pure sunlight.

"Whoa, hey gorgeous!" Beverly cried as she saw Casandra entering their dormitory "What happened to you? Why are you all spruced up?" "I thought it's time to get back to normal. Being the old Casandra again. Taking care of myself. Love and treat myself. Stuff like that, you know" Casandra replied. "Are you sure, you did not brew something like Draught of Feeling Myself?" Beverly asked in honest wonderment. "Yes, I am sure" replied Casandra sternly. "I am happy to see the old Casandra being back. You're shinning as bright as a diamond. I prefer that version of you. Maybe it's just a question of attitude" Sabrina said happily.

At breakfast, everyone was watching Casandra. Nick came over to the Ravenclaw table and looked as if he had just seen Peeves kissing the Bloody Baron. "Shut your mouth, there's a bus coming" Beverly laughed at Nick "Absolutely gorgeous, isn't she?" Nick nodded. "What happened? Did you have to drink something during your detention?" Nick asked, "You look stunning, Cassy." "Cheers, Nick. Nope, I've just decided grief's time is up." she smiled. "Good decision. I like you better with an honest smile on your face. Such a pity, I'm not into girls" Nick laughed. "Aw don't make me blush," Casandra said joyfully "and don't let Noah hear that. He'd get jealous." She gave him a wink and waved over to Noah, who was staring at her from the Hufflepuff table—just like everyone else. "By the way, Nick. Will you join the duelling club? The first meeting is tomorrow evening at 6. We're allowed to join it now, since we're in our fifth year, and we're of age anyway" asked Casandra.

Indeed, Casandra and Nick were one of the few students who were 17 in their fifth year. This was due to the fact, that Casandra's parents did not want her to go to Hogwarts at first. Her parents must always have known that Casandra's attitude was different. They feared it. So, they kept her at home for a year. When the Ministry intervened, they gave in. They did not want to receive further punishment. At that time, Casandra was almost 13. Casandra's parents had always been good at keeping their deeds just rumours. Although they were known to be Death Eaters, even to be the most merciless ones, no one could prove offence against them. Nonetheless, they were kept under observation by the Ministry.

Nick, however, became dangerously ill shortly before his first year at Hogwarts. He was on holiday with his granddad Newt Scamander, the famous author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, when he got in contact with a water demon parasite. Nick almost died. Therefore, he started his first year at Hogwarts at the age of 13, too.

"You don't have to be of age, Cassy. You just have to be in at least your fifth year" Beverly snapped. "I know. I didn't think that you'd be interested, though" Casandra snapped back. "Professor Lupin asked me whether I could imagine being a kind of tutor for defence against the dark arts this year," Casandra said proudly "so I thought it would be the best to join the duelling club, too." "I'll have a look and probably give it a go. Sabrina thought about it, too." Beverly explained. "Awesome!" Nick cried "See you later!"