𝕭𝖆𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕾𝖈𝖆𝖗𝖘 || Fred Weasley

56

"You are dismissed," said Cassie. "That fourteen-inch essay on everlasting elixirs is due Thursday so do not forget."

"Professor," said Potter.

"Yes?"

"Could I speak with you for a moment?" he asked once the doors to the classroom shut.

"Yes, what is it, Potter?" Cassie asked. She could see Potter's wand slipping out from the sleeves of his robes.

"Expelliarmus!"

Potter was faster. Her wand flew from her hand, falling to the other side of the classroom.

"It'd be wise to think about your next move, Potter," Cassie spoke.

"Shut up! I want answers, Professor," he said mockingly.

"You want me to talk or to shut up? Indecisive much?" Cassie taunted. "What do you want to know, Potter?"

"Snape... what's he doing with Malfoy?" he asked.

"I don't know what you're— "

"Don't lie to me," he said angrily, pointing his wand so it touched her neck. "It was Malfoy who cursed Katie, wasn't it? What are you and him up to?"

Cassie shoved Potter away from her and walked to the other side of the classroom where her wand was. "That, Potter, is information I was forbidden to speak of. I was first positioned here to watch over you, to make sure you don't do anything foolish. Clearly, I'm not doing my job well.

"Now, as you must have noticed, Draco is failing his classes, looks pale and sick every day so I'm sorry that I am trying to take care of my brother, even when he thinks of me as the greatest disappointment — No, that won't work on me, Potter, not again. Think I didn't have Snape teaching me Occlumency?

"I don't care if you do not trust me, or Snape for that matter. You need only to trust Dumbledore and his ways. Fifty points from Gryffindor... for attacking and threatening a teacher."

"I— "

"Better you stop here, Potter, or it will be two hundred points."

Harry left. Still, he doubted Cassie. And he would make sure he was heard. He wanted — needed to get to the bottom of this.

:::

Christmas was near. A few days before Christmas Eve, Cassie went to Addy's apartment for a visit. They planned to have a get-together, but it would only be her, Addy, Adrian (who lived with Addy), and Fred, who would be joining later that evening.

It was quite small. Walking in, she stepped into the kitchen which had a fridge, stove/oven, and a countertop. Then there was a sofa and cushioned chairs in front of a television with a wooden table before it. To the right was a hallway where three doors led to rooms and one that led to the bathroom. To the left was a storage room. There were large windows and some shelves on the walls with books and small plants.

"It's not big but it's home."

"Did your parents approve?" Cassie asked. "I mean, have you told them?"

"I have," said Addy like it was nothing. "In a letter... I ran away to live with Adrian. His parents don't care much, but mine... I thought I could do well without them."