Another Hogwarts Mystery

Chapter 23 - Into the Pensieve

Casandra was thunderstruck. Time seemed to have slowed down. Everything around her happened in slow motion and the voices became dull. She kept staring at the little vial in her hand, being transfixed to the spot. Why did she hand out her memories? What is that supposed to achieve? Casandra felt sick. It was as if she was touching something dirty. As if she was touching the dirt of her sinister past. Over the years, she had managed to repress the memory of it. Why did her bloody past have to confront her again? Why now? She was headed in the right direction. Everything seemed to be almost perfect. She was sorted into a different house than her whole filthy family, she wasn't part of her treacherous, blood- and might-thirsty family anymore, she had met the love of her life, and – what was most important – the Dark Arts weren't part of her life any more. Only the defence against them. Casandra swore to herself that she would be through with the Dark Arts and over this gloomy chapter of her past. Now, however, she had to face the worst part of herself again.

            Casandra was overwhelmed with her thoughts. Her head was spinning around, and her vision blurred. Slowly, she sank to her knees. Tears were running down her face and panic was rising in her body. She felt her blood rushing through her veins and her breath quicken. She was almost hyperventilating when she felt a hand on her shoulder, patting it gently. "Miss Clark, please get up. It's all right. It's over" Casandra looked up, seeing Snape standing next to her. He reached out his hand and helped her up. All the eyes in the room were fixed on her. Slowly, time seemed to regain its usual speed and the jibber jabber could be heard again. As Snape pulled Casandra up, he whispered in her ear so that nobody else could hear his words. "Give me the vail. I, too, know what it is. We have to keep it safe" In a heartbeat, Casandra secretly passed Snape the little vail. "Here, take this" said Snape aloud and gave Casandra a black silk-like handkerchief. Casandra dried her tears with it. "Come, we leave" instructed Snape, grabbing Casandra and Sabrina and dragging them behind him towards the door, when they were stopped. "Professor Snape" said the arrogant and cool voice of John. Snape stopped dead, piercing John with a disgraceful look. "Curious, isn't it? I could swear that you said that I would never see you in a courtroom again?" smirked John. "Utterly funny, Mr Willoby. And if I remember rightly, I told you that you would never see me standing in the dock again. Good day!" retorted Snape coldly. He was about to leave when John grabbed him tightly by the wrist and breathed "I'll keep an eye on you. And stop fucking my girlfriend!" Sabrina turned around to face Casandra, looking more than shocked. Snape, however, kept calm and smiled coolly at John. "And who is your girlfriend again? As far as I know you're single since you couldn't keep your dick in your pants and your hands to yourself" remarked Snape with a mocking smile on his face, looking down at John. "What, you filthy little—" John screamed and was about to punch Snape in the face but got caught by the security wizards next to him. "Now now, Mr Willoby! Behave yourself! This is still a courtroom" stated Snape coldly and turned to Casandra and Sabrina "Miss Clark, Miss Kettleburn we'll leave"

"Was that really necessary?" asked Casandra irritably as they entered the lift. Snape looked at her and then at Sabrina, remaining silent. Sabrina seemed to be disturbed. She didn't talk all the way to the security desk. When they were back above the ground, she suddenly broke her silence. Out of the blue, she stopped dead and cried "When were you going to tell me?!" Casandra and Snape turned around, looking at each other and back at Sabrina. "Sabrina, look I was—" "—Oh shut it, Casandra. This is why he found us, huh? Beverly knew it and she told him where you went. Great. Thanks. So, I was the silly girl who thought you were suffering like Christ because of your dead brother when you were fucking your Professor instead! Why didn't you tell me?" "Look, Sabrina. I knew that you would react like that. You would be disgusted and—" "—Oh save your breath, Clark. You didn't trust me. Say it. And don't tell me I would be disgusted. I thought we were friends. I would have understood everything as long as you're happy. The only thing that disgusts me is your self-centredness and your hypocrisy. Your mother was right, you are a true Clark. You didn't just use that curse to save him, you felt the urge to hurt your mother. Just like you've done it before—" "—Enough!" cried Snape. Casandra couldn't believe her ears. Her eyes filled with tears. Was this really what Sabrina thought of her? Her speech was so full of disgust and hate. Her words hurt and pierced her like a sharp dagger. "Miss Kettleburn that is enough! Stop it!" bellowed Snape, making his way towards her. "Do you know what? I think I'll take the Knightbus back to Hogwarts—" stated Sabrina coldly when Snape interrupted her again "—No you won't! I am your teacher and I am responsible for you. You can go into a huff when you're safely back at Hogwarts. Now take my arm!" he commanded reaching out his arm. "You, too!" he added, glaring at Casandra. Reluctantly, Sabrina and Casandra grabbed Snape's arm. With a loud crack they disapparated.