A week later Perseus Davies had had a free afternoon so to help his partners he took a section of the questions in the Potter file to the ministry to get answers. He found out that for Harry to hear the prophecy about himself he merely needed to present himself to the desk at the department of mysteries and he would be taken to where he could get it from the shelf and taken to a private room where he could hear it play.
The next set of questions however lead to a very nasty shock.
"What do you mean there was no trial? How can anyone be sent to Azkaban without a trial?"
"I'm sorry sir but Sirius Black never got a trial because there is no record."
"On whose order's?"
"Bartemius Crouch's sir"
"All right thank you." Perseus thanked the court clerk. He frowned this was bad. Bartemius Crouch hated Death Eaters that was a given. The man was known for his lack of mercy, but for him to have gotten away with condemning someone of an ancient and noble house without a trial said more was going on. Others, powerful others had to be involved. Given the man in question was Harry Potter's legal guardian by his parents' wills, it implied there was more behind it than met the eye. He would have to approach this cautiously or the repercussions might be severe. He'd get the others in on this.
....
Cassandra trembled as she opened the letter from her father. It had come at breakfast but she'd been afraid to open it . Now classes were over for the day, and she no longer had the excuse of not wanting to be to upset for class.
Daughter,
As usual you have proven to be a great disappointment to me I have contacted all your teachers and while you will pass your classes it is not by the virtue of your magic alone which means you are likely to fail your NEWTS and be unable to get a position. Your lack of magic also means that a suitable marital match to a young man is unlikely. Therefore I have arranged a match with Jasper Houghton.
I'm sure you remember him from last Christmas he was quite taken with you and since he already has an heir your lack of magic isn't a problem. The wedding will take place at the end of June
Cassandra dropped the letter. Jasper Houghton, he was older than father and the looks he gave her absolutely made her flesh crawl. She wouldn't marry him, never ever in a million years, she die first. But what choice did she have? She only had what her parents gave her and she was unlikely to get a job because of her grades. She couldn't help herself tears started to flow.
Harry was wandering through the stacks looking for a quiet table to work on his school end of year prank when he found Cassandra. "Sandra? What's wrong why are you crying?"
Cassandra looked up into the concerned green eyes of a young boy who had offered months ago to help with her problems. "My father." She broke off unable to continue. She gestured towards the letter.
Harry picked it up and after seeking her permission with his eyes he read it. "Somehow I don't think congratulations are in order."
Cassandra broke into soggy sounding chuckles. "That's an understatement but what else can I do?"
"Do parents in the magical world do this often? Tell their children who to marry?"
"Usually people's magic guides them towards someone compatible. Then the families arrange terms. By doing this my father is saying I'm not magical enough to find someone. Given I haven't felt a pull to anyone he may be right."
"But by your reaction I'm guessing you hate the guy?"
"Understatement."
"Then what you need is another option. Before the wedding."
"The sooner the better."
"Cassandra you know I'm from an Ancient and Noble family right?"
"Well, yeah everyone kinda knows that, I'm not saying you rub it in people's faces it's just everyone in the European magical world and probably the Americas knows that about the Potters."
"In the muggle world someone with as much money and responsibilities as me usually has a secretary, or umm, a personal assistant who deals with mail, errands, making appointments, that sort of thing. I would like to hire you as my assistant. I even know what I'll have you do. I have a house in the country that needs to have someone arrange to finish it. I need someone to do a bunch of research and I know you're good at that. My home has had a mail ward up since I was a baby so somewhere there's a ton of old fan mail to be sorted through. I probably can't pay you much but I have an apartment building in London I could include one of those apartments in your pay. What do you say?"
Cassandra looked at the young face looking into hers with such seriousness. "You mean this don't you? Why Harry? I'm a Yaxley, my father probably fought yours in the last war."
"You aren't your father. I like to think we've become friends over the last couple months. Besides if I help you I fully expect in the long run for you to return the favor. All I'm giving you is an opportunity, it's up to you what you make of it. One thing I've noticed about the wizarding world, you all get so hung up in traditions and who your families are that you miss the reality that what really matters is doing what's right and good, being with those you love, and being happy. Hufflepuffish of me I know, but it really is what I believe."
....
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