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That evening, Harry spent the night at Malfoy Manor.
Lucius, on the other hand, was rather busy. He urgently sent a letter to Dumbledore.
However, it wasn't until the next morning that he received a reply, prompting him to hurriedly leave Malfoy Manor and head to Hogwarts.
Upon learning that Cassandra had successfully escaped her predicament, Dumbledore wasted no time and immediately sent Fawkes to deliver a message to Veratia.
What Dumbledore didn't expect, however, was that Veratia was currently immersed in relentless studying via a Time-Turner, leaving her no time to receive his message.
Draco had also been urgently summoned home by his parents. When he learned that his great-great-grandmother had successfully escaped and returned to the loyal Malfoy family, Draco was more thrilled than anyone.
Of course, Cassandra had forbidden him from addressing her as "great-great-grandmother."
"So, it's true what the books say?" Draco's eyes sparkled with admiration as he gazed at his great-great-grandmother, looking every bit the starry-eyed… great-great-grandson. "You're a legendary witch?"
"I knew you were the most exceptional witch! Merlin, it's such an honor that you've returned to the Malfoy family—"
Draco's mouth was like a Gatling gun, firing off endless praise for his great-great-grandmother without pause.
But his words carried a slight issue, implying something along the lines of, "With you back in the Malfoy family, our house is saved." Lucius, listening nearby, couldn't help but feel that his son was treading on thin ice.
What's that supposed to mean?
Are you saying I've driven the Malfoy family into the ditch?
Yet with his great-aunt present, Lucius couldn't discipline his son without first consulting Cassandra's opinion.
Around three in the afternoon, Lucius boarded a carriage and brought the family to Hogwarts.
The decorations in the Great Hall today were no less grand than those at the start of term, all thanks to the generosity of the school governors.
Uninformed students assumed it was some special occasion, whispering among themselves, eager to uncover what was happening.
By four-thirty, the students were all seated in the Great Hall. Shortly after, Professor McGonagall strode in, holding the Sorting Hat by its pointed tip.
"I'd bet my bristles there's another transfer student!" the old hat squirmed in McGonagall's grip. "Merlin's beard, can't you lot come back all at once? Must you make an old hat run extra trips…?"
McGonagall ignored the hat's grumbling and complaints. She walked to the front of the head table, placing the Sorting Hat on a chair.
Lucius and Narcissa sat at the head table, watching the Slytherin table with anticipation.
"Welcome, everyone—"
Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. As a major shareholder of Honeydukes, he had, quite naturally, changed into a fresh set of robes.
Perhaps still haunted by the memory of that nightgown, Dumbledore had replaced his entire outfit from head to toe.
Lest he be caught off guard by Senior Grindelwald in their next duel.
"It is my great pleasure to announce that, in this new year, another student has joined our ranks."
Dumbledore spread his arms wide, beaming at the crowd. "However, before she is officially enrolled, we must uphold our traditional Sorting Ceremony. Professor McGonagall, if you would, please proceed with the Sorting of our new student!"
It had to be said, the Sorting Ceremony carried a profound sense of ritual—at least, that's what Dumbledore and McGonagall believed.
"Cassandra Malfoy!"
At McGonagall's words, the Great Hall fell momentarily silent before erupting into hushed whispers.
Malfoy?
Another Malfoy?
The young witches and wizards from pure-blood families were particularly shocked.
As pure-bloods, they were well aware of each other's family dynamics—everyone knew the Malfoy family's situation. No one had heard of Lucius Malfoy having any child other than Draco, that slick-haired boy.
So where had this Cassandra come from?
Could she be… Lucius Malfoy's illegitimate child?
Some even entertained such malicious thoughts.
From the Slytherin table—right beside Draco—Cassandra rose to her feet. Amid the students' whispers, she walked to McGonagall's side, sat on the chair, and cast an imperious glance across the Great Hall.
Case closed, the students thought to themselves—such arrogance, such haughty demeanor… definitely a Malfoy, no doubt about it!
McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat and placed it on Cassandra's head.
Contrary to expectations, there was no "the hat barely touched her head before shouting her house."
Everyone held their breath, awaiting the Sorting's outcome.
Most assumed Cassandra was destined for Slytherin—that the moment the hat neared her hair, it would loudly proclaim her house. But things didn't go as expected. The Sorting Hat didn't act with the urgency it had shown for other Malfoys; instead, it settled firmly on Cassandra's head.
This piqued the curiosity of some students. Could it be…?
She might not go to Slytherin?
Meanwhile, up front, Cassandra had already struck up a conversation with the Sorting Hat.
"Can't you lot return in time for the Sorting Ceremony?" the hat grumbled indignantly. "Merlin's beard, making me take an extra trip—I swear you Slytherins do this on purpose."
"I'm hardly thrilled to have you perched on my head, Mr. Hat," Cassandra retorted in her mind. "It seems you haven't had a proper wash in centuries. I'm genuinely concerned your filthy state might dull the luster of my hair."
"You're a nasty one, Malfoy brat!" the Sorting Hat huffed. "Don't say I didn't warn you…"
"How are you so filthy?" Cassandra pressed, landing another verbal jab.
The Sorting Hat was struck right in its sore spot.
The Sorting Hat lost it.
"You ask how I'm filthy?!" the hat shrieked, its voice echoing through the Great Hall. "Well, I'll ask you—if you were a hat, and no one had washed you in centuries, I ask you, is that the hat's fault?"
"Oh, it seems I've hit a nerve," Cassandra said coolly. "Perhaps I could help clean you up, Sorting Hat, sir. At least then you wouldn't have to endure such grime—and neither would the new students arriving at Hogwarts each year."
"Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!"
The Sorting Hat bellowed three times, as if it couldn't wait to be done with her.
Cassandra stood, pointing her wand at the Sorting Hat.
"Miss Malfoy!" McGonagall said anxiously, fearing Cassandra might ruin the hat.
"Scourgify!"
A gentle breeze swept over the hat, and it was transformed… still tattered, but noticeably cleaner.
"You want me to thank you, but don't expect gratitude from this old hat," the Sorting Hat muttered.
Cassandra ignored it, gave McGonagall a slight nod, and returned to the Slytherin table.
McGonagall cast a complicated glance at Cassandra's retreating figure, then picked up the hat by its tip and left the Great Hall.
"And now," Dumbledore stood and announced, "let the feast begin!"
In an instant, the tables were laden with a sumptuous dinner.
"Wow."
Back at the Slytherin table, Draco couldn't contain himself. "Merlin, Cassandra, you actually cast Scourgify on the hat! I've wanted to do that for ages! If it hadn't sorted me before touching my hair, I would've done it!"
Cassandra's gaze flickered as she recalled her first Sorting.
"Cassandra Malfoy!"
Deputy Headmistress Matilda Weasley called out loudly.
A young Cassandra stepped forward from the crowd and sat on the chair beside Professor Weasley.
Weasley lifted the Sorting Hat by its tip, and before it even grazed Cassandra's head, the hat shouted eagerly—
"Slytherin!"
"That's the Malfoy family trait, isn't it?" Cassandra said lightly. "Now, you should mind your manners, Draco. During meals, we try to keep quiet."
Draco obediently shut his mouth. Whatever his great-great-grandmother said was law!
"Merlin, I never imagined there'd be another Malfoy," Ron muttered. "But she's very Malfoy, isn't she?"
"How do you know what a Malfoy's like?" Hermione whispered back.
"Look at that proud expression," Ron said under his breath. "See? Only a Malfoy would have that look… Remember first year, on the train, when Draco Malfoy came to our compartment?"
Hermione thought back and nodded in agreement. "I think you're right, Ron!"
They're definitely family! Hermione thought with certainty.
At the head table, Lucius was deep in conversation with Dumbledore, who nodded repeatedly.
Soon after, Dumbledore summoned Slytherin's prefect, Miss Farley, and gave her a few quiet instructions.
That evening, back in the dorms, Miss Farley assigned Cassandra a private room.
Unaware of the complex relationship between Veratia and Cassandra, she didn't mention the Grindelwald girl studying at a Muggle school.
The next morning, Harry sought out Cassandra.
"Cassandra," he said, "I think you should visit Mr. Flamel's alchemy lab and let him give you a proper check-up…"
"I'm perfectly fine, Potter," Cassandra said, narrowing her eyes at Harry. "As for you… I know boys your age are restless and eager to chat up girls, but I suggest you focus on practicing your charms first."
"Your health is more important, Cassandra!" Harry said urgently, leaning closer and whispering anxiously, "After all, you were asleep in Merlin's Chamber for a century. No one can be sure nothing's wrong…"
Cassandra's cheeks flushed slightly. She huffed and said, "Fine, I'll assume you're right… But we're at school. Are you suggesting I go to France to see him?"
"Mr. Flamel is staying at Hogwarts temporarily," Harry said quickly. "If you want to see him, it's just a few steps from the Great Hall to his alchemy lab."
"I see…" Cassandra squinted, nodding. "Alright, I'll assume you're concerned for me. Let's have breakfast first."
After Harry returned to the Gryffindor table, Hermione leaned in, suspiciously asking, "Harry, do you know this Malfoy girl?"
"Sort of a friend, I guess," Harry said distractedly.
Luckily, Harry and Cassandra were far apart, and his voice was low, so she didn't hear.
"Merlin, if Veratia finds out, she'll be furious," Hermione said with conviction.
"Veratia would be angry?" Harry scratched his head, puzzled. "Why?"
Hermione felt exasperated but couldn't elaborate—it was just a hunch, and what if she was wrong? That'd be awkward.
What she didn't know was that Harry wasn't entirely clueless. Veratia never got upset about Harry and Cassandra because, for one, she saw Cassandra's prickly pride as no threat, and for another… she was the one who'd arrived later.
"Fine, fine," Hermione said, mimicking Ron's exasperated pout. She decided she should try contacting Veratia.
So, she went to the Owlery and wrote a letter to her father, asking him to call Veratia and urge her to return to Hogwarts soon.
Deep down, because of Draco, Hermione had a bit of a "guilty by association" bias.
Draco had left a terrible impression on her, and by extension, Cassandra seemed… less than likable in her eyes.
Harry, of course, had no idea his good friend Hermione was scheming behind his back. He was busy explaining the finer points of advanced Disarming Charms to Ron and Seamus.
For Seamus, though, this tip might only amplify his explosive mishaps—or perhaps spark some other clever idea.
After breakfast, Harry called Cassandra to head out toward Mr. Flamel's alchemy lab.
But they hadn't gone far when Harry felt a tug on his clothes.
He turned to see Poppy.
"Harry, Harry~"
At the sound of a sweet, feminine voice, Cassandra froze.
A sudden wave of alertness washed over her.
But when she looked back, she saw the voice belonged to a unicorn.
Cassandra let out a breath of relief.
Yet Harry's next words set off alarm bells in her mind.
"Oh, Poppy," he said, chuckling as he ruffled Poppy's face, pulling her toward Cassandra. "Look who I brought back!"
Poppy, who'd been squinting contentedly, opened her eyes wide upon seeing Cassandra.
"Cas… Cassandra?" she gasped. "You're back? Oh, welcome, welcome…"
She cheered, prancing happily in circles around Cassandra, looking utterly delighted.
"Poppy?" Cassandra said, uncertain. "You're Poppy Sweating? Hufflepuff's Poppy Sweating?"
She could scarcely believe her old classmate had become a unicorn.
"Yep, that's me, Hufflepuff's Poppy," Poppy said with a sunny smile, nuzzling into Cassandra's arms. "Well, this is what I look like now… oh, well…"
"What happened to you?"
Cassandra stroked Poppy's mane, her eyes flickering as she asked.
"No idea, really. Probably a mishap practicing magical creatures' magic, and I ended up like this," Poppy said, pawing the ground. "After that, I couldn't change back, so I'm stuck as a unicorn—a unicorn! Look, isn't my horn pretty?"
She pulled her head from Cassandra's embrace, shaking it to show off her horn.
"Hm?" Cassandra reached out to touch it. "Why don't I feel your horn pricking me? Just now… when I was holding you."
"Because I can retract it," Poppy said, giggling as she bounced. "Come on, hop on my back! I'll take you for a ride—"
"Oh, Poppy," Cassandra said, patting her head. "I haven't developed a hobby of riding my friends like a donkey… I'm heading to Mr. Flamel's alchemy lab. Want to come?"
"Yay!" Poppy cheered, lowering her head and nibbling briefly.
"What are you doing?" Cassandra asked, curious.
"Eating grass!" Poppy said with a gleeful laugh, only for Harry to grab her muzzle and pull out the blades.
"Mr. Flamel warned you not to eat anything!" Harry said sternly. "If I catch you eating again, you're in big trouble!"
"Oh," Poppy whimpered, shrinking behind Cassandra.
Cassandra looked at Harry as if seeing him anew.
"This is the first time I've seen you act so high and mighty, Harry," she said, astonished. "Have you taken to lording your authority over a classmate who's already suffered misfortune?"
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