I Solemnly Swear: Book 1

Sneers and Secrets

Lily and I spent the afternoon together, chatting and exploring the grounds. Lily told me that there was a Giant Squid in the Black Lake, I didn't believe her at first until she pulled out her beloved Hogwarts: A History and showed me a whole chapter on all of the creatures, magical and non-magical, that were possible to be found on the grounds. We found the Greenhouses and we were peering in on some squealing magical plant that looked like a cross between a baby and an old man, when someone tapped Lily on the shoulder, causing her to jump.

"Lily, I've been looking all over for you." A sneering voice came from behind me.

I turned around to see Snivellus turned towards Lily, his eyes wide and adoring in a way that unsettled me slightly. I cleared my throat, wanting him to know that I was there too, which caused him to turn around with a rather ugly sneer.

He turned his abnormally large nose up and swept his greasy black hair out of his eyes, "Oh, you. Why don't you just shoo, Lily has actual company now." He waved a hand at me lazily and I felt my eyes widen and my fingers tighten on my wand.

He had already turned back towards Lily and was acting like I had already disappeared at his 'command'. I was beyond pissed, who was this prick to just shoo me away as if I was some bug? Lily must not have heard the comment, she was looking at Snivellus with a slight smile, talking about our defense class.

Masking my rage with indifference, I tapped Snivellus on the shoulder, "Oi, I think we were having a conversation, Lily and I. Now if you wouldn't mind Snivellus, I would like to get back to it. Don't worry, you can talk to her later, the shower awaits." I copied his waving and smiled slightly, he looked rather taken aback by the shower comment.

Lily looked up at me, an apology showing in her eyes, "Actually, I'm going to go with Sev. I'll see you later in the common room, okay?"

I was taken aback slightly, my eyes wide before I masked my face again, "O-of course, whatever you want Lily."

Snivellus looked smug as he grabbed onto her arm and led her away, when Lily looked away I made a rather rude gesture at him that made him glower and turn back around.

Not in the mood to keep exploring anymore I walked into the castle, looking down at the ground with a scowl. I had walked past the Great Hall and was making my way up one of the stairways when I felt my foot fall through the air. I shrieked as I fell forward, letting go of my books, and using my arms as a brace for my fall as I toppled over. I tried to pull my leg out from the disappearing step when I realized I was stuck, my leg had gone all the way through and was now too big to easily get out of the stair. With a huff, I gently placed my forehead on the stair and concentrated on pulling myself up with my arms, cautiously and tediously.

"Oh my! Here, let me help you." I heard a high-pitched female voice say, coming to my rescue.

Someone grabbed onto my arms and dragged me up onto the stairs and picked up my books as I struggled to catch my breath. I looked up to see a taller, elegant looking girl with pale blonde hair and Slytherin robes, she turned and handed me my books.

"Thank you," I breathed, "you really saved me there. I'm Cassie Pratt," I smiled at her, ignoring her Slytherin patch on her robes.

She smiled and looked around before softly saying, "You're very welcome, I'm Narcissa Black. It's nice to meet you, but you must watch out for those disappearing steps next time. I don't want you to fall through."

I laughed, "I don't exactly know where they all are, but I promise to try my best."

Shaking her head she walked up to my step, "Bloody Gryffindor prefects not doing their jobs properly," She grumbled softly and began pointing out all of the disappearing steps, making sure I knew where they were before continuing to the next one.

"Thank you, again," I said, smiling up at her and mentally going over all of the steps.

She looked as if she were about to say something when a group of loud Slytherins came walking by.

"I'm sorry for this," She whispered quickly.

Confused, I glanced up at her, "Sorry for wha-"

I was abruptly cut off when a tall boy with long almost white looking hair that was so thoroughly jelled that it looked like plastic, stopped and looked at Narcissa, "What are you doing with a nasty Gryffindor, Narcissa?"

She had on a look of indifference and turned up her nose at me, "Just putting the half-blood in her place, honey."

I gasped in shock and looked at her, slightly betrayed. Her eyes quickly flashed with an apology before she walked down the steps towards the awful boy. She grabbed his hand and I saw the engagement ring on her finger and realized that this was her fiance. It confused me how such a nice seeming girl ended up with such a horrid seeming boy and I just looked on silently as they walked on, my eyes wide with confusion.

I eventually gathered my thoughts and continued walking at a slow pace up the stairs, wondering how she could've even guessed my blood status and the complexity that their relationship must have.

By the time I had gotten to the Fat Lady, I was tired and just wanted to read in my room for the rest of the night, either angry, annoyed, or confused with the rest of the population in Hogwarts. I quickly made my way past the common room, seeing Sirius and James on the comfy couch by the fire, not wanting to be dragged into a conversation with them. I got to my empty room and changed into comfortable clothes, flopping down onto my bed with Alice in Wonderland; eventually falling asleep while reading about the Queen of Hearts and her army of cards.

~~~~

I woke up to the room being completely dark and light snores coming from most of the beds. Figuring that I was already up, I padded out of the room on my tiptoes and went down to the common room to make some tea. I grabbed a cup at the small little drink and snack station in the corner of the room and was waiting for the water to boil when I heard footsteps coming down the boys' stairs.

Thinking it was a prefect, I pushed myself farther into the corner and awaited the person, hoping they wouldn't notice me. I certainly wasn't expecting who did come down and look around the common room cautiously before tiptoeing towards the portrait hole.

"Remus? Is that you?" I whispered, causing Remus to jump about five feet in the air and whip his head towards my direction.

Snickering at his reaction, I stepped into the light a bit more, "Where are you going?"

He looked beyond nervous, picking at his nails, "My aunt is, er, very sick and, um, Dumbledore wanted to floo me back home." As he said this, he continually kept his eyes anywhere but on me.

I felt like something was off, "Okay... are you alright Remus?"

"Yeah, I-I'm fine." He looked towards the portrait, seeming desperate for escape.

I walked a bit closer and looked in his eyes, "Well I hope your aunt gets better, have a safe trip." I gave him a brief, awkward hug and turned back towards my now boiling water, "Good night Remus, give your aunt my best regards."

"I will, thank you. Night, Cassie," With that, I heard him all but sprint out of the common room.

I was thinking over Remus' odd reactions to my questions and how nervous he seemed, as if something was seriously wrong. I hoped his aunt wasn't fatally sick and that was what caused his extreme nervousness, but it didn't seem as if his aunt was the only issue. I sipped my tea and crossed my arms, feeling slightly helpless. I was so confused with everything and everyone today but I knew that one thing was for sure, there is something Remus Lupin isn't telling me.