Another Hogwarts Mystery

Chapter 12 - Occlumency

Casandra sat up, looking puzzled and somehow frightened. Dumbledore closed the door behind him, walked towards Casandra's bed with a smile on his face. The room was empty, all beds were unoccupied except for Casandra's, and the lights were dimmed. As Dumbledore reached her bed, his smile intensified. "Miss Clark, good evening" "Good evening, sir" said Casandra quietly. She was really nervous. What was it that the headmaster wanted from her at this late hour?

"Miss Clark, I hope you do forgive me for disturbing you at this late hour. Unfortunately, I had an appointment at the Ministry and could not make it earlier. Nonetheless, your matter is of eminent importance and – I dare say – of great urgency." explained Dumbledore. What matter? What is going on? Casandra thought. "Professor Dumbledore, sir, I don't really understand. What's the matter? Is something wrong with me? Am I ill?" "You are not ill or mental, my dear Casandra. Don't worry about that. Your health is perfectly fine" "But why are you here? There must be something wrong with me. Is it because of Benjamin's request?" asked Casandra in confusion.

Dumbledore's expression changed. His smile faded and turned into a very serious countenance. "Miss Clark, Professor Snape has informed me about your flashbacks and dreams. He told me what happened at Professor Slughorn's party and what you saw. I am afraid, I agree with him. You didn't see your brother that evening. Unfortunately, I believe that my apprehension turns out to be true. Especially after the latest incidents—" "—Incidents? What incidents? What are you talking about, sir?" Dumbledore raised one hand "Let me explain, Miss Clark. After the report in the Daily Prophet, I was extremely worried and wondered what your parents would want to do here. Like you, I know what they think of this place. How much they detest it. I have taught them myself. The only thing they liked about this place was the fact that they could spend more time with Lord Voldemort. As you know, they were close friends during their time at Hogwarts. They admired, even worshiped him. To cut a long story short: I could not believe that it was a coincidence that your parents were sighted in Hogsmeade." "D-do you mean t-that it is true what the Daily Prophet wrote? My p-parents are actually looking for me?" stammered Casandra. Her mouth fell open in shock. "I'm afraid, I think so. Ever since Professor Snape told me about your fainting during your detention, I had the fear that these flashbacks were not only flashbacks, but rather that someone wanted you to see these things. Maybe to drive you crazy but more likely because they wanted to gain control of your mind." Sighed Dumbledore.

Casandra shook her head in disbelief. "No, I mean, why would they?" "Because they can't get you while you are at Hogwarts. You are safe here." "Do you actually think that they want to kill me? Just like Benjamin?" "No, I don't think that they want to kill, Casandra." Dumbledore's voice changed. It was even more serious now. "I don't think that they want to kill you, as you are way too talented and bright-minded. You could prove yourself valuable." "What do you mean, sir? I don't get it." "Casandra, your parents want you to join them. They don't want to lose another child. Do you know what I mean?" Casandra shook her head. "They don't care whether Benjamin is dead. The only thing they care about is whether their children are loyal and on the right side. Benjamin proved them wrong. This is why he had to die. He had outlived his usefulness. Thus, they don't want to lose another child to the other side. They want you, Casandra. They need you, although they would never admit it."

Dumbledore's words hit Casandra hard like a punch in the face. She felt knocked out. "So, you're saying that my parents let me see what I saw at Slughorn's party? They entered my mind?" "Yes, indeed. Professor Snape might have already told you, but your mum is a very skilled Legilimens." Dumbledore replied calmly. "And this is why I am here tonight. When Professor Snape told me what happened, I knew that we need to act immediately. You need to close your mind and I know you can do it. You just need to recover your power and skills at Occlumency." smiled Dumbledore encouragingly. "But how, sir?" sighed Casandra. "You will get extra lessons with me" "With you, sir? Why not Professor Snape?" asked Casandra slightly irritated. She didn't know why but she was extremely disappointed that Snape wasn't going to teach her and help her to recover her powers. Dumbledore smiled. "Professor Snape is extremely busy at the moment and I thought as a matter of fact that I am even more skilled in Occlumency. You'll receive an owl with the date of our first session. But for now, you need to rest. Good night, my dear." said Dumbledore and made his way out. Snape was too busy? Busier than Dumbledore? Was this a joke? Did Casandra dream this whole scenario or did her concussion get worse again and she was hallucinating? She simply couldn't get rid of the feeling that Snape didn't want to see her or teach her extra lessons. But why was that?

When Casandra left the Hospital Wing, she didn't feel recovered at all. She felt as if her stomach was full of stones, as if her heart had stopped beating. The worries about Snape's odd behaviour seemed to eat Casandra up from inside. Hence, Casandra decided to pay Snape a visit. It was a stormy evening. Squalls of snow whipped against the castle's walls and windows. As Casandra knocked on Snape's door, she didn't hear an answer, although she heard voices from inside. Casandra didn't know who took control of her body, as it all happened so fast, when she felt herself opening the door. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her mouth fell open. There, at Snape's desk stood the figure of Pandora Handerson. She was wearing her silver nightgown and had her long brown hair in a bun. "Miss Clark, I didn't hear myself saying enter" snapped Snape irritably. "I am sorry, Professor. I thought I heard the word." Casandra felt herself blushing, turning as red as a lobster. "Now, Now, Severus. I was about to leave anyway. Thank you so much though. It was really nice." She smiled but this time her smile wasn't fake but triumphing. She passed Casandra with her twinkling eyes. Fuck you, thought Casandra.

When Snape and she were alone, Casandra almost ran to his desk. "What was that?!" she barked. "What?" said Snape coolly. "That was Professor Handerson and we had to discuss something." Snape added, keeping a straight face. "What is wrong Severus? Why didn't you visit me? Don't you care how I am?" "Of course, I do." "What's it all about then? Tell me. Why don't you want to teach me Occlumency? Please don't tell me that you're too busy!" snapped Casandra. Snape stood up, Casandra thought he was about to hug her or give her a passionate kiss, when she was disabused. "Casandra, I believe it is better if we stop seeing each other." Bam! There it was, Casandra's worst fear. "W-what?! Why's that?" Snape didn't say anything at all. He kept staring at the floor. "It is her, isn't it? You're fucking her, right?!" Again, Snape didn't answer. "ANSWER ME!" bellowed Casandra, feeling tears running down her face. Slowly, Snape lifted his head. His gloomy eyes were faded. He lost the sparkle in his eyes. "No," he sighed "I'm not fucking Professor Handerson." "So, you just don't want to see me anymore. For no real reason? You just fucked me and now it's over. I was just an object of desire to you. Great. Thanks. Awesome. And I, the silly fool, told you that I love you. I am such an idiot." cried Casandra. "You know that's not true" whispered Snape. "What is it then? Why can't you give me a good reason? It's just not you to drop me like a hot potato." "It simply was a mistake" he sighed. "A mistake? A mistake?! And you have just realised this after bloody three months?" But Snape remained silent, piercing the stone floor with his eyes. Casandra could neither believe her eyes, nor her ears. She just wanted to get out of there. Shortly, before she opened the door, she turned on her heel and said "Do you know what, Severus? I don't believe you. If you need some space, fine. I'll give you space to the moon and back. Just say that you will love me one day and I will wait. I will always wait for you."