Transfixed: A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 64

The next day, I went to my weekly meeting with Cassady. Since the encounter with Ginny, I was anxious to implore my sister not to let anyone leave the safe house again. Not even for a moment. They would have to use the secret passageway exclusively. Draco and I got away with giving Ginny a warning, but we would not be able to be so kind next time.

I met her in the Room of Requirement and gave her a hug just like I always did, but I could see right away that she looked troubled.

"Is this about Ginny?" I asked. "Because I need to talk to you about that."

Cassady nodded and furrowed her brow. "Yeah. I told everyone to not leave the safe house, but she wanted to go for a quick walk just to clear her head."

I sighed. "I understand, Cass, I really do. I'm sure it must be suffocating for all of them right now. But they really have to stay put. We built that passageway for a reason. Draco and I are doing patrols, and even though we were able to just let her off with a warning the first time, at some point we'd have to take it further."

Cassady twisted her fingers together in her lap nervously. I could tell she was uncomfortable about something.

"What is it?" I asked. "You can tell me."

Cassady looked up at me. "Ginny is worried that maybe she gave the safe house away, and now you and Draco are on to her."

I couldn't help but give a snort of laughter. "I created the safe house, sis. I'm on to all of you."

"No, this is serious Audrey," Cassady said, frowning. "She thinks you and Draco are suspicious of her, and now you know something is going on. She's afraid you're going to give her away to the Carrows."

I rolled my eyes. "And did you tell her that was ridiculous?"

"How am I supposed to do that Audrey?" Cassady snapped as a flash of anger appeared in her eyes. "Tell her you're a spy? Tell her you're the heir to some ancient power and that you're going to save us all?"

I felt myself flush in embarrassment. "You're right. I wasn't thinking. So... what did you tell her?"

Cassady gave a small groan and leaned back on the couch. "I... I didn't know what to tell her. I said that even though you've turned to the dark side, you're still my sister and I didn't think you'd say anything unless you caught her again."

I nodded. "Good, that's perfect. And did she seem to believe you?"

Cassady squeezed her eyes shut, something she always did when she was anxious about something. "I don't know. But she's definitely wary. I'm afraid she's going to make trouble for you now, though. She hates feeling like you could blackmail her, so she might lash out. She and Neville are desperate to rebel against you and the Carrows and all the Death Eaters."

I couldn't help but feel indignant. "But things are going so well!" I cried. "No punishments, no isolation wing! Things are almost normal again! Do you know how hard Draco and I worked to make all that happen?" I knew I shouldn't have been taking my anger out on Cassady, but I just had to let it out. As much as I wish I didn't have to drag her into any of this, the truth was I was relying on my sister to make all this work. "You have to keep them under control, Cassady. You have to. Because if they rebel, we'll have no choice but to push back, and you need to make sure they understand that."

"I'm doing the best I can!!!" Cassady cried, her voice echoing around the massive room. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm doing the best I can," she said again, softly.

I opened my mouth to say something, but threw myself in her arms instead as guilt overtook me.

"I know. I'm sorry," I said, holding her tightly in an embrace. "You're doing great, Cass."