The only light in the dungeon office was from a few flickering candles. Two of them had already burned down to the wick, and a third was nearly at its end. The Head of Slytherin, seated behind his desk, did not notice. He was thoroughly preoccupied with the young witch straddling his lap.
Their kisses grew more intense as the seconds ticked by, tongues twisting around each other as Cassie rolled her hips over his groin.
He was trying his best to keep his hands in chaste places. She seemed determined to make that as difficult as possible.
He kissed the side of her neck, and she responded to it as deliciously as the last time. An unrestrained whine left her throat while his lips moved over the sensitive skin. In response to his growing desire, he wrapped his arms around her back and splayed his hands across her shoulder blades. Surely, if he willed himself enough, he could keep them there.
"Please, Severus," she moaned quietly.
"Cassie - "
"I need a distraction."
It was an innocent enough statement. Merlin knew the girl had a million things on her plate at that moment, and he understood that she might need a reprieve from the thoughts swirling through her mind. But his protective side needed clarification.
"From what?" he murmured into her ear. Her hand squeezed his clothed bicep as she anticipated another kiss or nibble, but none came while he waited for her answer.
"I'll tell you later," she replied quietly. He pulled away, just enough so he could study her face. It was not lost on him that she was not meeting his gaze.
"No, you will tell me now."
"Severus - "
"It is not up for debate," he interjected firmly. Sensing his resolve, Cassie slumped onto his chest. Even in her annoyance, she loved the feeling of being in his arms.
Cassie began recounting what had happened with Quirrell. Severus, who had allowed Cassie to remain in his lap as she spoke, started to sit up.
"Severus, what are you doing?" Cassie asked, bewildered by his sudden movement. She didn't want to move from her comfortable position with her head on his chest.
"I'm going to have a little chat with Quirrell!" he snarled, finally pushing her off him and forcing her to stand.
"Let's just hold on for a second." Cassie protested as she straightened her grey sweater. "He's already out of sorts after my confrontation with him. Don't you think you barging in there to yell at him is just going to make things worse?"
"The cockiness that phony little twit has, to have you in his office alone and try to invade your mind!" Severus thundered. He stood up and grabbed his wand. "I'm going to do more than yell. I'm going to curse that turban-wearing head right off his shoulders—"
"Severus!" Cassie shouted. She placed both hands on his face, forcing him to look at her. He blinked a few times, and she softened her tone. "Listen to yourself. What if he does work for the Ministry? Hasn't what I've said to him tonight already done enough damage?"
"If he ever does anything like that to you again—"
"I can handle myself!" she insisted as Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "And you're the one who said that the less he thinks we're on to him, the less dangerous he'll be. Well, maybe if he thinks it's just me, we can still let things play out. He might not do anything drastic."
"There's more to it than him potentially spying for Fudge, Cassie," Severus said darkly. "That might be part of it, but with all these other things going on—"
"I know. I sense it, too," she muttered. She wanted to stay in his apartments, but Severus wouldn't risk anyone noticing that she was missing during the night again. So, after another brief argument, he sent her back to the Slytherin common room.
Cassie was already dreading being isolated during the coming days. Spending the night alone in her bed did nothing to improve her mood.
As part of her professors' plan to ease her back into a normal routine with the other students, Cassie would not yet be having her meals in the Great Hall. Breakfast was delivered to her in the common room, and, with nowhere else to go for the rest of the morning, she settled down to work on the coursework she had fallen behind on.
She tried to ignore the fact that everyone else was heading out to start their day while she sat there, isolated from the rest of the school, pretending it didn't bother her. She was almost finished with her Astronomy essay when a house-elf brought her a letter, along with the coursework her professors had assigned. Thrilled to see that Tonks had found a few minutes to write, Cassie eagerly opened the letter.
Cass,
I am still sporting all four limbs, although I almost lost a toe. Pray it remains intact. You know how important it is to me that I remain symmetrical.
Auror training is rather difficult. Although if I haven't died yet, you can probably handle it.
Moody has been talking about you nonstop since we saw you. He has your back. But in all seriousness, be on the lookout for our dear Minister.
Keep your chin up.
Love always,
Dora
Cassie groaned. She wasn't surprised to receive such an ominous warning from someone so close to the Ministry. Still, it wasn't something she wanted to be thinking about, especially when she was finally making progress on her homework.
What a silly thing, she thought, to be worrying about the orbital paths of Jupiter's moons when the government was apparently out for your blood.
She folded the letter and pushed on, eventually eating lunch in the same chair.
In the afternoon, she was allowed to move about the castle to meet with her professors. She spent a few minutes with each of them discussing the material covered in their written lessons, performing wand work, and answering any questions she might have. It was a brutally efficient way to educate her, and almost all of them seemed somewhat repentant as they sent her on her way, having actual classes full of students to teach.
By late afternoon, Cassie only had Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts left to deal with. She was waiting in the entrance hall for Severus.
She would have preferred to simply meet with Quirrell and then spend the rest of the evening with the Potions Master, but he had forbidden her from visiting Quirrell alone. It made her feel both silly and strangely protected.
Severus appeared at the top of the staircase, and together they made their way toward Quirrell's classroom. "I am more than capable of going there alone—" she began to repeat.
"Not another word," he growled. Two first-years walking past them immediately jumped out of the way at the sound of his tone. Cassie had to stifle a giggle. Severus radiated such open animosity that she couldn't blame the students who turned and went in the opposite direction when they saw him coming.
Cassie was about to knock before entering the classroom, but Severus barged straight in without an announcement. She followed closely behind. "Quirrell," he snapped.
The other professor, who had been seated at his desk, suddenly jumped to his feet, looking rather alarmed. "P-Professor S-S-Snape, I-I wasn't ex-expecting y-you!" he sputtered, wringing his hands.
Severus strode directly toward his desk. "Miss Black is here for her lesson, and as she is due for mine in less than ten minutes, I suggest you start," he hissed. He bent forward, placing both hands on the desk and daring the other wizard to challenge him.
"Y-yes, P-Professor Snape. R-right away," Quirrell said. The Head of Slytherin turned swiftly on his heel and went to stand beside one of the other desks. He refused to sit, instead maintaining his intimidating stance as he watched Cassie perform a few spells for Quirrell and review material from the textbook.
The lesson was over within the allotted ten minutes, and the two of them started back toward the door. "W-wait!" Quirrell called. Severus and Cassie exchanged a glance before turning around. "The R-runespoor e-eggs, Professor," Quirrell said, gesturing toward the open crate—the same one Cassie had opened using Parseltongue the night before.
"What about them, Quirrell?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow. Cassie looked at him in surprise. She knew the eggs were a rare and prized ingredient in potion-making. She had almost felt guilty about leaving them behind the night before and had even considered going back for them after everything that had happened with Quirrell.
"D-d-don't you w-want them?" Quirrell asked, smiling timidly. "I have no u-use f-for them, a-after all."
"Neither do I, considering they are only available on the black market," Severus replied coolly. "I suggest you destroy them immediately." A heavy silence followed.
Once again, Cassie could have sworn she saw something else flash across Quirrell's features. Something sinister. "Y-your loss, then, S-Severus," he said.
Severus grabbed Cassie's elbow and guided her out of the classroom. "Severus," she said once they were safely out in the corridor, "what was that about?"
"I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "But it was some sort of test, to see if either one of us was tempted."
"Well, I was tempted," Cassie said. "I know how valuable they are for potions. I almost took them for you last night." They were in the dungeons now, and thankfully the corridor was completely deserted. Severus suddenly pushed her against the wall, his snarling face only inches from hers.
"You daft, stupid girl!"
"Get out of my face!" she hissed. She wasn't in the mood for his insults or the furious expression he wore. Unfortunately, the familiar intensity between her legs was growing despite herself. She was acutely aware of how close his face was to hers, and of the hand pressed against her chest, pinning her against the cold stone wall.
"I don't ever want to hear that again," he spat. "That you'd put yourself in such an idiotic situation for me!" Cassie grew angry at his reaction, but something about his fury made it hard to think clearly.
"I can't promise that," she whispered. "Because sometimes irrational things happen when two people—"
The laughter of approaching students interrupted her. Severus immediately released her and straightened. He glared at the gaggle of Slytherins as they passed, but Cassie couldn't help gazing at the wizard.
She wanted to drink in the sight of him. Because even when he aggravated her beyond belief, she still wanted him.
Without another word, they headed toward the Potions classroom. Cassie removed her knapsack and set it down. Assuming he was still angry, she was ready to get whatever lesson he had in store for her over with.
"Okay, Professor," she said sarcastically. "What potion am I making for you tonight?" She turned around.
Severus immediately scooped her into his arms and kissed her.
It was needy and passionate, and he came at her with such force that he nearly lost his balance, using a nearby bookshelf to steady them as they clung to one another.
Almost as swiftly as he had pushed her against the bookshelf, Severus lifted her and carried her toward his desk, sweeping anything within reach onto the floor. Cassie couldn't have said what had suddenly gotten into him, nor did she particularly care. His assertiveness alone was enough to leave her breathless.
The rest of the evening quickly became a blur of roaming hands, hurried kisses, and the complete abandonment of anything resembling a lesson plan. By the time they were finished, the classroom looked as though a small hurricane had passed through it.
Cassie looked around at the disordered room and giggled. "I hope we didn't break anything!" she said, waving her wand and returning stacks of parchment and scattered quills to their respective places.
"If we did, it can be repaired," Severus mumbled.
"Back to my original question," Cassie said, clearing her throat and attempting to smooth her rumpled hair with her hands, which did absolutely nothing. "What potion are you having me make?"
"Forget it."
Cassie let her jaw drop open in exaggerated disbelief. "Excuse me? Is Professor Snape letting me get away with not doing any homework?" she asked sweetly, batting her eyes at him.
"Don't push your luck," he growled. "Or I'll keep you here all night."
"Fine by me," Cassie replied without missing a beat.
It took Severus a moment to catch the innuendo. When he did, he took several strides toward her and pinched her backside, making her shriek with laughter. Cassie took off for his office, and he chased her, slamming the door shut and locking it behind them.
-------------------------
Cassie continued her isolated schooling after that, sometimes completing her work in the Slytherin common room and other times in the library for a change of scenery. She was growing accustomed to having much of the day to herself, and although she didn't want to admit it, she was beginning to enjoy not having to deal with her immature classmates for most of the day.
What she missed most, however, was hearing her professors' more extensive lectures. She felt as though she was being ushered in and out of her meetings with them too quickly. She could hardly blame them. They had to maintain their normal schedules while also finding time to meet with her, so she tried to remain patient.
Severus insisted on accompanying her to every meeting with Quirrell, and they weren't getting any less awkward. If anything, her "lessons" with him were becoming shorter with each visit. Her most recent one had lasted all of two minutes.
Her longest lessons were Potions now. While Severus had allowed her to skip her first session, he insisted that she complete the work to the highest possible standard. Of course, that was difficult to accomplish when they had become remarkably good at distracting one another. Cassie had come dangerously close to melting several of his cauldrons, forgotten elixirs bubbling away over the flames while the two of them snogged on his desk or in some far corner of the classroom.
The end of October was fast approaching, and her professors told her the hysteria outside the school seemed to be dwindling. The letters she received from Andromeda and Molly seemed to confirm it. Both women said they had been talking Cassie up to anyone who would listen.
The day before Halloween, Theodore Quartermaine approached her while she sat in the library. It was the first time he had done so since the attack.
Cassie assumed he felt guilty for running away that day in Hogsmeade, but she had been so wrapped up in her own drama that she had practically forgotten about his feelings. Now, as he approached with a somber look on his face, she felt like a jerk for not seeking him out sooner.
"Hello, Cass," he said, sitting down beside her.
"Hi, Theodore." She gave him a small smile. He had a newspaper in his hand, and she assumed it was the Daily Prophet—something she had intentionally avoided since the Hogsmeade attack.
"How are you?"
"I'm better than I was, thanks," she said truthfully.
"Glad to hear it." He hesitated. "I don't know if you've heard, Cassie, but some of the students who were pulled out have returned. Their parents have let them come back."
"Oh." Cassie was surprised by the news. "That's great!"
"Yeah. I think people are starting to realize that everything's just been a big overreaction." He paused. "But anyway... I brought this to show you." He handed her the paper.
On the front page was an announcement that her four attackers had all been sentenced to Azkaban. Cassie read the announcement twice, just to make sure she was seeing it correctly. Then she let out a huge sigh of relief.
"If that doesn't convince people that you weren't guilty, I don't know what will," Theodore said, smiling. "And then there's something else I wanted to show you." He slowly flipped the paper over and pointed to another article.
A large, smiling portrait of Harry Potter grinned up at her. Beneath it was a much smaller photograph of herself—a school picture from several years ago. "What is this?" she asked quietly, scanning the article.
The title read:
THE BOY WHO LIVED DEFENDS THE DARK LORD'S DAUGHTER
"Well, remember how I told you that someday I'd like to write for the Prophet?" Theodore explained. "After getting permission from Dumbledore, I interviewed some of the students. After bombarding the staff at the Prophet and talking to your uncle, I managed to get them to print this."
"You talked to Lucius Malfoy?" Cassie asked incredulously.
"Yeah. He actually thought it was a good idea." Cassie shook her head. Of course he did. Anything that made her look better right now would make him look better, too.
Cassie read as tears began to form in her eyes. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep them at bay so she could see the words in front of her. The article contained quotes from her classmates about how studious and fair she was, and how helpful she had been to other students. Some of the quotes were ridiculous enough to make her laugh.
One third-year Hufflepuff had apparently stated: "She's never even tried to kill me, not once!"
Cassie had no idea how that had made it into the article.
Madam Pince was beginning to frown in their direction, but Cassie didn't care. For the first time in weeks, she felt genuinely overjoyed.
Then she spotted Harry's quote. "Well, my best mate Ron and his family adore her, so that's good enough for me!" Cassie made a mental note to thank that boy—and all of the Weasleys—profusely. She would have done almost anything for a hug from Molly right then.
"Thank you, Theodore," she said sincerely, wiping away her tears. "So much."
"Don't mention it." He gave her hand a reassuring pat. "It would just be nice to have you back in class and back to tutoring, is all." Then he left her to herself.
After gathering her thoughts, Cassie stood and made her way to the Great Hall—a place she hadn't been to in far too long. Lunch was in session, and she was determined to find a certain group of Gryffindors.
She burst through the doors, ignoring the curious looks that came her way, and marched straight toward the family of redheads.
"Hey, Cassie!" Ron greeted her, standing immediately. Cassie wrapped her arms around him in a huge hug. Fred and George joined them, and then, somewhat tentatively, Percy hugged her as well.
"So you're not banished anymore?" Fred asked while they remained squeezed together.
"I don't know," Cassie said with a laugh. "I mean, not officially, I guess."
"It's about damn time," George added. "We missed you!"
"I missed you guys, too." They finally pulled apart. Cassie noticed Harry watching them with a small smile, although he looked rather unsure of himself. "Harry, thank you for what you said," she said quietly.
"It's nothing," he replied sheepishly. "You didn't even do anything wrong. I don't know what all the fuss was about."
"Well, just know that your word carries a lot of weight," Cassie said. "Maybe now the Ministry will stop looking at me like I'm the devil's child."
"Are they really that stupid?" came Granger's voice. It was obvious the girl had been eavesdropping. She was staring pointedly at all of them.
"Yes, Hermione," Cassie said. "They are."
Cassie was allowed to return to her classes the next day, and they were gloriously uneventful. No one gave her any trouble or mentioned the attacks. Even Quirrell's lecture seemed somewhat normal. When he called on her during class, he addressed her as though they had an ordinary student-teacher relationship. Cassie hoped the rest of the school year could continue harmoniously as the end of October approached.
The Great Hall looked positively grand for the Halloween feast, adorned with candles, bats, and pumpkins. Cassie was so happy to be back in that environment that she found herself thoroughly engrossed in a conversation about broomsticks with Harrison Babbs.
Even so, she kept stealing glances at Severus.
He was surveying the room, performing his duties, and occasionally allowing his gaze to settle on the Slytherin seventh-year. They had made plans to meet after the feast. Severus didn't have to patrol the corridors until two in the morning, leaving them several precious hours to do as they pleased.
Cassie was considering picking up a phallic-shaped lollipop and trying to catch her Head of House's eye while it was in her mouth when the doors to the Great Hall suddenly burst open. Quirrell stumbled inside.
"Troll - in the d-dungeons - thought you ought to know."
Panic ensued. Dumbledore had to restore order by firing purple fireworks from the end of his wand.
"Shit," Cassie muttered under her breath. She had a decision to make. She could be a good little Slytherin and go down to the common room, exactly as her Headmaster had commanded.
Or she could go to the third-floor corridor, because she knew that was where Severus would be heading. He wouldn't trust Quirrell to leave the Stone alone.
Cassie stood rooted to the spot for several moments, looking around the Great Hall. Quirrell was nowhere to be found. Severus was already heading toward a side door.
Severus was a big boy. He could handle himself. She couldn't risk getting into trouble, not when she had only just been allowed to return to her routine.
Then she remembered Quirrell from the other night—speaking to her in that clear, commanding voice, entirely free of his usual stutter. The memory sent shivers down her spine.
He was hiding something.
Cassie joined the Slytherins heading toward the dungeons, then broke away from the group at the opportune moment. She flicked her wand, which was tucked inside her robes, and instantly changed the colors of her uniform from green to yellow so she could discreetly merge into the Hufflepuff crowd. Once she was far enough away, she broke from them and ran. If a professor stopped her now, she would simply have to play stupid. She didn't feel clever enough to come up with anything else on the spot, and she certainly wasn't willing to hex one of them.
Cassie didn't have to wonder for long whether Severus or Quirrell had already reached the third-floor corridor. As she approached, she heard thunderous growling. Then barking. Then cries of pain.
And she could have sworn one of the voices sounded frighteningly familiar.
She skidded through the open door and into the corridor. A huge, nightmarish creature stood before her. A cerberus.
Quirrell, instead of looking pathetic and on the verge of passing out as usual, stood off to the side, merely watching with interest as one of the beast's heads had its jaws clamped around Severus's leg.
Without hesitation, Cassie whipped out her wand and fired a Stunning Spell at the beast. It yelped, the spell catching it off guard and startling it, but it wasn't nearly enough to stun the creature.
Without thinking, Cassie dove toward Severus, grabbed him beneath the shoulders, and yanked him backward. The dog's three heads lunged toward them again. Severus threw up a massive Shield Charm, halting its advance momentarily. With another heave, Cassie dragged them through the doorway.
Quirrell followed immediately behind them and slammed the door shut.
The angry beast's barks and growls echoed from the other side. For the moment, they were safe.
"What the fuck?" Cassie panted. She slid down toward Severus's leg to inspect his wounds, but he was glaring at Quirrell.
"Get a good look, did you?" Severus seethed. "I suppose you would have gone straight through that trapdoor if the thing had the chance to eat me!"
"P-Professor S-S-Snape!" Quirrell sputtered, one hand clasped over his heart. Cassie wanted to punch him in the face. "I was m-merely g-going to m-make s-sure no one was g-going after the S-Stone, as you were—"
"Like hell you were!" Severus snarled.
"A-and what were you d-doing here, Miss B-Black?" Quirrell asked. "F-funny, that the f-first day you're l-let out of c-confinement, a t-troll makes its w-way in, and I f-find you h-here?"
Cassie opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, they heard a roar that sounded suspiciously like a mountain troll. Then came the screams of children.
Cassie helped Severus to his feet. He cast a charm that formed a makeshift splint around his injured leg.
She saw Quirrell glance back toward the door to the forbidden corridor.
Severus noticed it, too. He reached out and grabbed Quirrell roughly by the back of the neck, turning him toward the direction of the commotion.
He didn't need to say anything. The threat was perfectly clear.
They headed toward the noise together. McGonagall skidded across the bathroom threshold just as they reached it. The sight of the unconscious troll was both petrifying and reassuring.
Certain that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were safe, Cassie stepped into the hallway and let the three professors handle the rest. She wondered if McGonagall would question why she wasn't in the Slytherin common room.
The first-years emerged from the bathroom first. Cassie couldn't help herself as she flung herself toward them, wrapping all three in a hug. "Thank Merlin you're all okay!"
"Oi, what are you doing here?" Ron asked, clearly still flustered by the whole ordeal.
"Never mind," Cassie said. "Just don't go chasing mountain trolls next time!"
The trio headed toward the Gryffindor common room. McGonagall and Severus emerged next. Rather than question Cassie, McGonagall simply breathed a sigh of relief.
"Cassie, get Professor Snape to the hospital wing, will you? I have to get Hagrid here so we can get rid of this damn thing!" She was already heading down the corridor before she'd finished speaking. Cassie watched her go, then turned toward Severus.
"Quirrell's in there with it?" asked Cassie.
"It's unconscious. He'll be fine." Severus took a step. His injured leg nearly buckled, and Cassie immediately reached out to steady him.
"I didn't realize the bite was that bad!" she said, growing concerned. "You weren't limping that much when we came down here."
"The bite is venomous," Severus said, wincing as he took another step. "I have the antidote in my stores. I made a supply when I knew we'd be using a cerberus to guard the Stone."
"Okay. I'll get you to the hospital wing, and then I'll go to your office—"
"No. No hospital wing," he said sharply. He winced as he continued to limp along. "The fewer people who know what's behind that door, the better."
"But Severus, your leg looks pretty bad—"
"No!" he barked. Cassie suspected he was simply being prideful. He didn't want Madam Pomfrey seeing him like this, and he certainly didn't want to explain how he'd gotten the injury.
She didn't want to argue. So she helped him make the slow, painful journey down to the dungeons and got him settled into his bed. Once she had removed his trousers and the makeshift splint, Cassie hurried to find the antidote in his stores. He drank it without complaint.
She cleaned the wound as best she could before settling beside him. She knew he needed to sleep, but when she looked at him, he seemed far from tired.
"So much for patrolling," she said lightly. He snorted.
"You know what this means, don't you?" he asked quietly.
"He's after the Stone."
"Yes."
"Can't say I'm surprised."
"Neither am I."
Cassie rested her chin on his chest. "What do you think he meant when he referenced it being my first day 'out of confinement' and then a troll gets in?" She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Severus looked at her silently for several moments. "Do you really want me to tell you?"
"Yes."
"That whatever he's got planned, he's going to frame you for it."
Cassie's stomach sank. "Well, shit," she said quietly. "That's what I was afraid of."