The Life and Lies of Cassiopeia Rosier- Regulus Black

.finding the light.

.to all those who have experienced hurt, and then dared to hope, dared to forgive, dared to live. you are proof that light will always prevail.

It was as if I had blinked, and N.E.W.T.S. were upon us. The moment that I had dreaded since my first day in this castle. Everything that I had planned for my future was riding on how well I did on my exams. The stress from the pressure was almost destroying me from the inside.

I was a bundle of nerves, and I had a dreadful habit of not taking care of myself when exams loomed near. I hardly slept, and spent the majority of my time in the library. And when the library was closed, I sat in the common room until all hours of the night revising.

It happened every term when exams were near. But the last time it had been this intense was right before O.W.L.'s.

During my O.W.L.'s, I had ended up in the hospital wing from exhaustion, improper nutrition, and anxiety. It was horrifying. I collapsed in the common room right after my last exam. Regulus seemed to remember that better than I did, and was not about let it happen again.

So he was very intent that I went to bed at a proper hour, and always was bringing me food that he had nicked from the Great Hall, and sometimes even from the kitchens.

I didn't even know he had known where the kitchens were. He had explained to me that being the brother of Sirius Black- while incredibly annoying- did have its perks.

Exams began, and thankfully I wasn't the only one stressing out. Plenty of Fifth and Seventh years had nervous breakdowns  that ended much worse than mine had.

One benefit did come from exam week.

It started with a rumor that had been floating around. Apparently the examiners for the practical Defense against the Dark Arts exam were offering extra points for anyone who was able to produce a patronus.

It was excellent news for very few students, but disappointing for those of us who hadn't been able to master that skill.

I was among the latter group.

Regulus however, was thrilled by the news. He had been able to produce a patronus in our fifth year.

The perfect Slytherin, the favored child of a vast pureblood line. You would think his patronus would be a snake or something equal to it. But that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. Regulus Black's patronus was a bold, roaring lion.

What a scandal that had been. As if that was something he could control. It was fitting though, the little lion's patronus was in fact a lion.

We were seated in the Great Hall at breakfast when the news broke. Breakfast that tasted like sawdust in my mouth.

"That's it then. I'm going to fail." I lamented, and dropped my head into my hands in resignation.

"No you're not, Cass." Regulus soothed, rubbing my back. "It's for extra points. If you don't do it, it's not going to affect your score."

"That doesn't matter. What if I forget something and need the extra points?" My voice sounded frantic, and I could tell the fear from the unknown was starting to get to me.

"You're not going to forget anything, love. You have prepared for this exam harder than anyone I know." There was a twinkle in his eye, and I could tell he really believed what he said. I however wasn't as convinced.

"You don't know that for sure though. I could absolutely forget something. And then I won't get a good score, and then I won't get a healing apprenticeship. I could ruin everything." All of the sudden all of the worst possible scenarios started running through my mind, my breathing started to quicken, and I couldn't push the thoughts of failure away.