( September '96 )

"Do you think Malfoy is a death eater?" Harry asked for the fifth time since they got on the train.

"Harry, drop it." Cassandra snapped. "You don't need to obsess over it. We're almost at Hogwarts, you shall be focusing on that."

"I'm going to spy on him." Harry said.

"I'm coming with." Cassandra said. "Give me some of that cloak."

"Cassie, you can just go see Blaise." Hermione said.

"No, I can't." Cassandra replied. "He won't even talk to me. It's because we're on opposite sides of this war. He's more on our side, but his family isn't. He doesn't want to be outcasted. Fuck spying on Malfoy, I'm going to stay here."

~~

After what felt like forever, Harry was still not back. Cassandra went to check on him since everyone was getting off the train. As Cassandra went to open up the compartment door, she bumped into a hard surface.

"Draco." Cassandra breathed.

Draco looked down at her and then moved past her. Cassandra walked into the compartment Draco just came out of.

"Harry!" Cassandra exclaimed, seeing her twin on the floor. "Are you okay? Oh god, you're not okay. Your nose, it's bleeding."

The compartment door slides open, revealing Luna.

"Sorry, we missed the carriages." Luna said as they started walking towards the castles.

"It's okay, Luna." Harry said. "It's not your fault."

"Your nose is broken." Luna stated.

"Yeah." Harry replied. "Do you know any spells to fix it?"

"Yes, although I've never fixed a nose." Luna said. "I've fixed toes and fingers though. There's no difference.

"I can give you a couple of differences." Harry muttered underneath his breath.

Cassandra elbowed him in the stomach.

"Just a fair warning, it hurts a lot." Luna pointed her wand at Harry. "Episkey. Better?"

"Much, thank you." Harry answered.

They stopped when they reached Filch and Snape. Cassandra watched Filch as he was inspecting Draco and his bags. They were then able to go inside the castle and into the great hall. Luna left to go to the Ravenclaw table and the twins headed for the Gryffindor table.

"Are you two okay?" Hermione asked. "You took a long time."

"Yeah, just missed the carriages." Harry replied.

~~

Cassandra and Hermione reached the potions classroom and stood next to each other. Cassandra wasn't paying attention to Slughorn, as she was looking out for Harry and Ron.

"Ah! There you are, boy, I was beginning to worry." Slughorn said as Harry and Ron entered the classroom. "You brought someone with you, I see."

"Ron Weasley, sir." Ron introduced himself. "I'm bloody awful at potions. More than Harry, actually so. I probably should go."

"Nonsense." Slughorn said. "Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Now get your books."

"I haven't actually got my book yet." Harry said. "Nor has Ron."

"Not to worry, get one from the cupboard." Slughorn said. "Now I prepared some concoctions this morning. Can anyone tell me what they are? Yes, Miss Potter?"

"That one there is Veritaserum." Cassandra said. "It's a truth type of serum. That there is polyjuice potion, it allows you to become someone you're not for some amount of time. It is terribly tricky to make. This is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differently to each person, depending on what attracts them. For example, I smell green apples, peppermint, and lemon."

Draco looked up at Cassandra. He had his eyes down the entire class, but what he was most interested in was what Cassandra smelt in the Amortentia Potion.

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love." Slughorn said. "It would be impossible. It does create infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in the world."

"Sir, you haven't told us what is in that one." Katie Bell spoke up.

"What you see before you ladies and gentlemen, is Felix Felicis." Slughorn said. "More commonly referred to as..."

"Liquid luck." Cassandra interrupted.

"Yes, Miss Potter." Slughorn said, smiling. "Liquid luck. Desperately hard to make. Disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you'll find that all of your endeavors succeed. At least until the effects wear off. So this is what I offer each of you today, one tiny vial of liquid luck to the student who in the hour remains to manage to brew an acceptable draft of living death. Recipes can be found on page ten of your book."

Cassandra immediately got started. She wasn't interested in the liquid luck, but instead feeling a sense of accomplishment. She didn't notice that she set her things down at Draco's table. Draco looked at her as he brought the ingredients to his cauldron. He watched her work tentatively.

It hadn't even been ten minutes when Seamus managed to blow up his potion. That boy has always had troubles with potions and Cassandra was unaware how he got into this class.

After a while Slughorn went around to check on the potions.

"Merlin's beard!" Slughorn said to Harry. "It's perfect. Well done, Mr. Potter."

He came around to Cassandra's.

"Wonderful job Ms. Potter." Slughorn smiled.

Class was soon dismissed and Cassandra walked off by herself. However, a certain someone met up with her.

"Cassie, are you okay?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah." Cassandra replied. "Just a little down."

"And why's that?" Blaise asked.

Cassandra glanced over her shoulder and noticed that Draco was walking somewhat close behind them.

"Draco." Cassandra whispered. "He hasn't said a word to me since that day in Umbridge's office."

"Why do you care so much?" Blaise asked.

"I don't know." Cassandra said. "I thought we were finally going to be on good terms. But I guess he had other plans. I ought to head off to my next class. It was nice talking to you Blaise. Don't be a stranger."

Cassandra left Blaise standing in the hallway. He stopped moving once she left. Draco walked up to Blaise and stood next to him.

"Stay away from her, Zabini." Draco said.

"Why?" Blaise chuckled.

"We are on opposite sides of this war." Draco whispered. "You cannot be consorting with those not on our side. What if Professor Snape were to see you two talking?"

"Snape knows Cassie and I are friends." Blaise said. "He was the one who introduced us."

"You two are more than friends, aren't you?" Draco asked.

Blaise laughed.

"No, never." Blaise said. "We have never thought of each other that way. Even if I did feel something more for her, she is in love with someone else."

"Who?" Draco asked.

"I cannot tell you mate, Cassie's orders." Blaise patted Draco on the back and walked off.