Blaise Zabini's birthday was fast approaching as the weeks flew by for the students of Hogwarts. His birthday was on the 21st of April and it had snuck up on the friend group rather quickly as they felt like they'd only just celebrated Theo's in the febuary. The Slytherin five and Neville had been in the library almost every day after classes preparing for the end of year exams, they'd decided to work in pairs which was Dracos idea so they kept their focus.

Cassiopeia and Pansy immediately paired up and Theo paired with Blaise leaving Draco with Neville, it was probably best because Draco was the best and explaining things and though none of the group would admit he was the smartest when it came to exams. Cassie assumed it was because he worked well under stress, due to the fact he stressed himself out far too often.

The group were quietly studying in the back of the library, Cassie was hopelessly staring in to an empty spot on the carpet whilst her mind worked. She was imagining what her life would be like if Voldemort was still around. Her stomach was turning at the thought. she was brought back to reality when her arm was shook by Pansy.

"sorry what where you saying?" Cassie blinked heavily trying to get her eyes back in focus.

"Hermione's been trying to get your attention from over there for the last five minutes" Pansy pointed her head in the direction of a bookshelf that divided groups of tables.

"oh, I'll be right back" she kissed pansy on the cheek and walked away from her friends.

Hermione was sitting with Potter and Weasley to no surprise, so Cassie stood at the end of the table and smiled to the frizzy haired girl. She pulled out the chair next to her and gestured for Cassie to sit, not wanting to be rude she took the seat glaring over at Harry as she did.

"What's up" Cassie questioned putting a smile on her face.

"I was- well we were just wondering, what do you know about professor Snape?" she looked intensely focused.

"Well he's a prick if that's what you mean" she shrugged as Hermione's eyes widened dramatically at Cassie's language.

"Cassiopeia!" She scolded making Ron snicker.

"We were thinking more, do you ever notice him lurking and disappearing for hours at a time" Harry added as he rubbed his head where his scar was located, clear it was irritating him.

Cassie scratched at her chest feeling the same irritation and frowned at the green eyed boy. "All's he does is lurk, he's creepy." she shrugged looking back at Hermione and ignoring the boy's, "And I know he used to be involved in all sorts of dark activities if that's any better"

"See Hermione I told you something was off with him" Harry said as he looked from the girls to Ron.

"When I realised who he was back at the start of the year it baffled me why in Salazars name Dumbledore would allow him to work here, he's not really... child friendly. I guess." Cassie carried on only talking to Hermione whilst trying to ignore the pain in her chest.

"But if Dumbledore trusts him I think we should too" Hermione stated looking over the table to her friends.

Cassie leaned back in her chair and sighed, "My oldest sister was a known death eater" she grimaced slightly at the words, "and when she would host for guests Snape was in attendance a few times, I weren't allowed to know what they were up to though"

She saw Ron roll his eyes out of the corner of her eye and turned to frown at him, as she did she felt something pricking at her mind. Immediately she knew somebody was trying to use Legilimency against her to which she scoffed at and looked at the three people she was sitting with as they all looked at her confused, not any of them she thought. She closed her eyes for a second trying to figure out who it was, she heard the start of someones thoughts then was shut out almost instantly. She smirked and let out a short laugh.

"You okay?" Hermione asked placing her soft hand over Cassie's.

"Look to your right, over in the corner. I'm guessing behind the book shelves." Cassie said not turning around herself because she didn't need too.

The trio all looked over subtly to see none other than Severus Snape lurking behind the books, he was staring at the four of them and turned to leave when he knew that he had been spotted.

"Blimey how did you know he was there" The ginger gaped looking at Cassie.

"None of your business Weasley" she winked at Ron causing his cheeks to flush a little. "See you later 'mione" she gave the girl a quick hug and departed heading back to her friends.

All of her friends beside Neville gave her questioning looks as she returned, she rolled her eyes at them and sat back next to Pansy. The lingering sharp pain in Cassie's chest was making her feel queasy so she rested her head on Pansy's shoulder as Pansy continued to scribble down notes. "Weasley thinks your pretty" Pansy whispered making both of them laugh.

"What have I said about digging into innocent peoples minds" she looked at her best friend through her lashes.

"I was just making sure they weren't planning on kidnapping you" Pansy joked.

"Can we please go to bed now guys, its my birthweek after all" Blaise pleaded but was smacked in the back of the head by Theo.

"Six days, we have six days until your birthday" Theo shook his head.

"mhm" Blaise nodded, "that means its my birth week and you all have to do whatever I say" he smirked as he pointed to all of them.

"I would have picked Cass to try and make a big spectacle out of her birthday, not you" Draco tutted.

"Well considering I killed my mother on my birthday, I'm not really a big celebrater of the day" Cassie smiled and started to laugh as all of her friends either shook their heads or covered their faces with their hands. "What, at least I can joke about my trauma" she shrugged and carried on giggling.

The topic of Druella Black was awkward when it came to the youngest Black sister, she had an if I don't laugh I'll cry mentally when it came to her mother. Growing up she was under no circumstances allowed to bring her up, unless she wanted to be on the receiving end of her father's favourite unforgivable. So she never even bothered to talk to Narcissa about her now that Cygnus was dead, that fear still in the back of her mind although she knew her sister would never use the curse on her.

The six of them decided to call it a night when the candle in the centre of the table had started to leak wax over Theo's parchment. Cassie still didn't feel right after being around Harry so as they walked through the castle Draco had tight hold of her hand, occasionally squeezing it and giving her a smile which she appreciated.

A day or two after Draco had snuck out of the Slytherin common room late at night because over a week before he had overheard Ron talking about Hagrid having an illegal dragon, He didn't tell his auntie in fear that she'd try to stop him from getting them in trouble. He'd gone to McGonagall over it but she didn't believe him and dragged him by the ear back to the common room giving him detention for one wandering about the castle at night and two spouting nonsense about Harry Potter having a dragon.

The morning that Draco had told them what happened they went to breakfast as usual only to see Neville looking rather tired and upset playing with his porridge at the Gryffindor table, when he spotted the group he abandoned his breakfast and headed to the Slytherin table to join them sending Malfoy daggers.

"you okay Nev you look awful" Pansy said as she pulled him down in-between herself and Cassiopeia.

"one hundred and fifty points" he said still glaring at the blonde on the other side of the table.

"sorry what?" Cassie questioned looking between the boys.

"I was trying to stop him from getting in trouble with professor McGonagall," Neville gestured to Draco. "He ran away so I couldn't and then I got caught by her and she give me detention" he huffed, "then Harry and Hermione got caught out of bed too, So Gryffindor had one hundred and fifty points taken off us" he glared at Draco again.

The rest of the group besides Draco who was still locking eyes with Neville apologetically turned to look at the giant hour glasses at the front of the great hall. Gryffindor was now in last place putting Slytherin in first. Blaise and Theo both burst out laughing.

"Well in mate! Were winning again" Blaise held up his cup of tea and tried to cheers Neville who was still practically having a staring contest with Draco, so he cheers'd Theo instead.

"The both of you pack it in, what's done is done" Cassie said pointing at Draco and Neville, "by the looks of it Potters taking the blame anyway, perks of being famous I guess" She nodded over to were Harry had just stormed out the hall followed by Ron and a few boo's from their house mates.

As the day carried on both Hermione and Neville were also being shunned by the red and gold uniformed students, though they knew not to go any further than that when it came to Neville. Cassie, Pansy, Blaise and Theo practically formed a barrier around the boy at all times in case anyone tried anything and Draco had continued to sulk over the fact Neville wouldn't talk to him so he was hanging out with Crabbe and Goyle.

By the day of Blaise's twelfth birthday Draco and Neville were talking again which made the celebrations easier to get too. Theo and Draco had gone to the kitchens to get snacks leaving Cassie, Pansy, Neville and the birthday boy to relax in the girls dorm. Draco refused to enter Blaise and Theo's dorm as it genuinely looked like a herd of centaurs had been living in there and not two boys, so the girls played host.

Cassie had transfigured Pansy's right wellington into a music box and the left into a disco ball which was Nevilles idea. So the four of them were dancing along to the music under the disco ball with the different shades of green coming from the window that looked out into the black lake bounced off it. When Draco and Theo returned they joined in too. That's how they spent Blaise's birthday, dancing and singing occasionally stopping to eat some sugar filled treat that Blaise would have disapproved off if it weren't his birthday.

Eventually the six of them had to stop because they were exhausted, Draco walked Neville back to Gryffindor tower because of how late it was and the fact they were both awaiting detention from the whole dragon situation so they couldn't get in any more trouble. Blaise and Theo both said their goodnights to the girls and headed to bed themselves. The faint music could still be heard even though it was hitching every few songs because of how tired Cassie was making her spell wear off, the disco ball had already lost its illusion and all that was left was a boot in the middle of the floor.

Cassiopeia had skipped breakfast due to the fact she had been invited to spend the morning with Dumbledore, so when she finally caught up with her friends Dracos miserable face was a shock to her. She frowned at him from where they sat in the history of magic classroom, not wanting to speak until Professor Binns had stopped whatever it was he was talking about. After what felt like half the lesson the Binns drifted of to sleep in his chair and Cassie turned to her nephew.

"Why does your face look like that?" she questioned.

Draco sighed and handed her a piece of parchment, "i got that at breakfast"

Your detention will take place at eleven o' clock tonight.

Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.

Professor S. Snape

"That's awfully late isn't it." she raised her brows.

"It's going to mess my routine up" he scowled at the note, "i like to be asleep by at least eleven thirty so i get a full eight hours sleep"

You could see the stress behind his eyes that were pooled with water if you looked close enough, Cassie took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I'm sure it won't be long and it's the weekend tomorrow so you can still have eight hours" She tried to reassure him.

"i-i just" he bit down on his lip, "i'm going to talk to Snape to see if he could change the time" He placed all his belongings in his bag and hurried out the room silently not waking the ghost of a professor.

Blaise furrowed his brows to Cassie who knew he was obviously asking about Draco without words, she shook her head and shrugged facing back down to the text book that was open in front of her.

The gang sat at lunch and waited, Draco hadn't returned to class and was missing from the following lessons. All of them sat confused picking at their food but he didn't come. When the school day was over and Draco was still nowhere to be found Cassie set off to Snape's office with Blaise trailing behind her so she didn't take the professors head off.

Not hesitating for a second Cassie pounded hard on the dark wood and then crossed her arms waiting for a response. Soon enough the door was flung open and there stood Professor Snape hardly visible in the dark office because of his all black attire and the greasy black hair that shielded his face.

Snape looked down at the young Slytherin and sighed in annoyance, "Miss Black what is the meaning of this" he said in his usual slow monotone voice.

"Where is my nephew! he came to see you first lesson and he still isn't back!" she raged at the man who seemed to retreat into himself as the girl shouted.

"I can assure you that I, miss Black have been teaching all day" his eyes flickered from her face to the necklace that was sticking through one of the button holes of her school shirt. "Mr Malfoy hasn't been to see me. Now if you'll excuse me" he stepped out the room and shut the door.

"Just where do you think your going!" she stomped her foot, "Draco is missing and your not going to do anything about it?" Once again she raised her voice and she could feel the familiar bubbling in her stomach.

"I have" he paused quickly looking back at the necklace almost shivering as he took a step further away from her, "things, to discuss with the headmaster. And Miss Black it might do you some good to remember that i am your teacher, do not think you can talk to me as i am one of your" he paused again looking behind her to Blaise, "peers." he huffed before storming off with his black robes floating behind him dramatically.

"Cass" Blaise spoke quietly tugging at her forearm, "Cassie your hands" he held them up and she finally noticed them.

Cassiopeia's breath hitched as she looked down to her hands that were now dripping blood onto the stone floor, slowly she unclenched her fists and groaned. She was trying so hard to stay calm that she had dug her nails deep into her palms and left small half moon shaped slices. She went to wipe the blood on her skirt but Blaises eyes shot open and he stopped her.

"Come on we're going to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey can see to your hands and we can check if Dracos there" he kept hold of her hands and led the way.

By the time they'd gotten there Cassie had already healed her hands though they were still covered in drying blood. The trip was not a waste however because Draco was indeed in there. Madam Pomfrey explained that he had had a small panic attack and she was making sure he was okay before sending him back to his common room. So Cassie and Blaise were able to take Draco with them back to the dungeons after cassie had washed the blood from her hands.

Draco was silent the whole way back and went straight to his dorm when they got back, he'd probably been given a calming draught so it was to be expected. When Cassie told the gang the bare minimum of what they needed to know they all knew not to bring it up unless Draco himself did.

Later on that night Draco left for detention looking quite on edge and Cassie was grateful that he had Neville with him. Cassiopeia however was concerned, something didn't feel right to her and she knew she wouldn't be able to rest until her nephew had returned so she stayed in the common room while everyone went to bed. After an hour of pacing the common room she was startled by Theodore who looked half asleep making his way over to her.

"your going to make your feet ache, come and sit with me" Theo yawned and tapped next to him on the couch closest to the fire.

"its midnight he should be back by now" she let out a yawn of her own and followed the boys instructions to sit.

"he's not alone love, don't worry" he shifted in his seat and kicked his feet onto the coffee table, "Try and get some rest, i'll wake you the second he walks through the door"

Cassie sighed but got herself comfortable and rested her head onto his lap, "the exact second" she half scolded sleepily.

"yep" he smiled down at her trying her best to frown, he started running his hands through her hair knowing that it relaxed her.

She was asleep within seconds.

Theo kept his word and stayed awake but not long after the girl had fallen asleep he noticed that her body kept jilting, and then she was thrashing, then she started to scream. He quickly lifted her up slightly and pulled her up so she was over his lap and her head was on his shoulder, he tried to soothe her but it was no use and her screaming was starting to wake up others. Pansy was the first to enter the common room rushing over too them.

"Pansy she won't stop! What do i do?" Theo said clearly distraught himself.

"She's never been this bad before," she was leaning down running a hand across her bestfriends face, "can you carry her, she needs moving before more people come down"

Theo looked wide eyed from Cassie to Pansy and nodded before looking back at Cassie and moving his arms so one was under the bend in her knees and the other was wrapped firmly around her back. The two got her back to the girls dorm running into Blaise on the way and then Tracey who was standing at her dorm door half asleep, her eyes shot open when she noticed Cassie still screaming and thrashing around in Theos arms.

"Tracey could you please run and get madam Pomfrey or Dumbledore... anyone that can help" Pansy pleaded with the girl who nodded and grabbed some robes running straight out the hallway.

"Put her on the bed Theo" Blaise said moving the covers aside.

"No fucking way i'm not letting go of her!" he half shouted to his friend.

"Sit down with her then" Blaise gestured to the bed.

Pansy told Theo how to position her as she had done for the few nightmares that she had witnessed, he sat her in between his legs so that her back was on his chest and he ran his hand through her hair again. The breath had been knocked out of Theo and alls he could do was cradle his friend staring at her worryingly.

The screaming had slowed down and Cassie was now muttering something under her breath the same two words over and over. 'It's him'.

When Dumbledore arrived with madam Pomfrey Blaise and Pansy had gotten on either side of the still shaking Cassiopeia and Theo refused to loosen his hold on her. The two adults exchanged looks before Pomfrey handed the headmaster a vial and he strode over to the bedside, causing Theo to flinch back with her still in his arms.

"Don't worry Mr Nott, this will help" he eyed the boy before popping the top of the vial and slowly pouring it into Cassies mouth.

Slowly Cassie's body came to a stop, only the faint in and out of breathing. Then her eyes opened and she shot up, "It's him! It was him!" she shouted as she tried to scoot herself back landing on Theo.

"It was who Cassiopeia?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Lord Voldemort" she said roughly before turning to look at her friends.

Her eyes widened as they met Theo's bloodshot ones and she couldn't manage to hold back the sob as she buried her face into his chest to continue crying and he wrapped both arms around her. Dumbledore muttered something to madam Pomfrey and she nodded handing him her satchel and leaving the room.

Cassie cried for what felt like forever but eventually her eyes dried up and her throat was raw, she turned to look back at Dumbledore who gave her a small smile, "Draco will be back shortly, he'll come straight here. I've got you a calming draught and dreamless sleep potion so you can have some rest" he placed the sleep potion on the bedside table and handed her the calming draught which she drank straight away.

"Thank you sir" Her voice was quiet and unsteady.

"when your feeling a little better please come and give me a visit, so we can discuss what you have seen" he nodded and gave her a smile before standing and looking at the four Slytherin students, "your in good hands here, oh and before i forget" he shook his head and pointed his wand at the bedside table making a pile of fudge flies appear. "Fudge flies for your troubles" he winked and walked out of the room nonchalantly.

"Merlins beard that man's losing it" Blaise shook his head and popped one of the sweets in his mouth.

Cassie tired to laugh because she knew that it was Dumbldore's way of telling her the password to his office, but it came out more a cough. The headmaster was correct though, Draco returned not long after and comforted Cassie.

Theo was still slightly shaken up over the whole event and refusing to leave Cassie's side so they made the decision to all stay together. Pansy and Theo were on either side of Cassiopeia and Draco and Blaise were down at the bottom in between them. Once the exhausted girl had taken the dreamless sleep potion she felt it kick in right away and was soon back asleep again, this time with the security of the potion meaning she wouldn't have another nightmare.