THE SEER OVERHEARD

☆☆☆

Cassiopeia's hand trembled as she dipped her quill into the ink, her mind still reeling from the vision that had plagued her sleep. The events of the night before swirled in her thoughts—the confrontation between Snape and Dumbledore, the vision of Harry's potential death, and now the letter she was about to write.

She took a deep breath, steadying her hand, and began to write:

Dear Aunt Bellatrix,

The Vanishing Cabinet will be ready midnight Make sure the Death Eaters are prepared to enter Hogwarts as soon as the connection is established. We cannot afford any mistakes.

Yours,
Cassiopeia

She paused, her quill hovering above the parchment. This was it—the culmination of months of secret work, subterfuge, and deception. She felt a pang of guilt at the thought of betraying Harry and her friends, but she steeled herself. She had to protect Harry, even if he could never know the full extent of her actions.

Cassiopeia folded the letter and sealed it, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders. She slipped out of her bed and crept through the dormitory, careful not to wake Pansy or the other girls. The common room was empty, the fire long since died out. She made her way to the Owlery, the early morning light casting long shadows on the walls.

She selected a sturdy-looking owl, attaching the letter to its leg. "Take this to Bellatrix Lestrange," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The owl hooted softly, then took off into the morning sky, disappearing into the horizon.

Cassiopeia watched it go, a deep sense of unease settling in her chest. She had not slept at all, her mind unable to rest with the weight of her decisions. The vision, the letter—everything was pressing down on her, suffocating her.

She let out a heavy breath and walked back to her dormitory. As she approached her small drawer, her eyes landed on a letter she had received in her third year—a letter from her father. She remembered the day she had been expelled from Beauxbatons and sent to Hogwarts with a specific mission: to spy on Harry Potter.

Her eyes scanned the letter, its words a painful reminder of her past. She had done everything her father and aunt had asked of her, playing her part perfectly. But was that all she was? A tool for others to use, a pawn in their dangerous game?

With a surge of defiance, Cassiopeia crumpled the letter in her hands. She was tired of being manipulated, of being forced into roles she never wanted. She threw the crumpled letter into the bin.

It was already breakfast time and she decided to head to the Great Hall, she glanced at the Gryffindor table before she saw her brother, who seemed to not have any sleep as well. She handed him the letter from Borgin, sitting down beside him and grabbing a bowl and putting cereal in it.

"What the hell is this now?" He asked, opening it. His eyes scanned the letter, and he looked at Cassiopeia, his eyes determined.

"I have sent a letter to Aunt Bellatrix," said Cassiopeia, as she took a spoonful of cereal. "She'll receive it this afternoon."

"A letter?" questioned Draco, his eyes scanning Cassiopeia. She nodded her head, turning to face her brother.

"Tonight, Draco," she said, before standing up and walking towards the Gryffindor table. She had little time left, and she knew what the future might have in store. The only thing she needed now was to make up for the things that are going to happen to her friends by spending the rest of her time with them.

Draco watched as his sister walked away, he scowled a bit before his eyes landed on the letter in front of him. He folded it neatly, placing it into his pocket before he continued his breakfast, knowing what Cassiopeia meant.

"Hey," said Cassiopeia, smiling at Ron and Hermione before she sat down next to Harry. "Good morning."

☆☆☆

The day passed in a blur, classes and conversations blending together as Cassiopeia went through the motions. Her mind was elsewhere, at the things that are going to happen tonight.

As night fell, she slipped away from the Great Hall, making her way to Dumbledore's office. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to do. She gave the password to the gargoyle and ascended the spiral staircase.

Dumbledore was waiting for her, his eyes twinkling with a knowing light. "Cassiopeia, what brings you here? You should be at the Great Hall enjoying dinner."

She stepped forward, "Professor, I... I have something important to tell you."

"Go right ahead, my dear," he said, tilting his head. Cassiopeia knew that Dumbledore might have a clue on what it is.

"I completed the task, the cabinet..." she said, her voice low. Cassiopeia paused, "It's functional tonight. The Death Eaters...I don't know what their full plan is, but it will bring great harm."

Dumbledore listened as Cassiopeia continued, "Please, Professor. Take necessary measures to keep Harry or any of the students safe...I..."

He looked up at her, his gaze piercing. "You have done a brave thing, Cassiopeia. I will ensure that we are prepared. I do not leave the school unprotected during my absences."

"You'll not be here?" She asked, frowning, Cassiopeia blinked.

"I will be," he replied, "I will come back tonight, I will be bringing along Harry."

"To where?" She asked, even more afraid now.

"I have found out where a Horcrux could be," he replied, as he took off his half-moon spectacles and placed them on the table in front of him. "I will be taking Harry along with me."

"He will be safe with you?" asked Cassiopeia, her voice quiet. She watched as Dumbledore nodded, he placed his withered hand on the table and he watched Cassiopeia.

"You have been great at Occlumens, Cassiopeia, I believe that you are ready to hide your mind from Voldemort," commented Dumbledore, he smiled softly at her and Cassiopeia ignored his comment.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she nodded. "I just want to protect them. To protect Harry."

Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You have a good heart, Cassiopeia. Remember that, no matter what happens tonight."

"Good heart?" She asked, her voice soft. "I do not believe that, Professor. I haven't...I am not a good person."

"Do not say that," said Dumbledore, as he stood up, he walked over to pat Fawkes before he turned to Cassiopeia. "Your future will be a bright one."

Cassiopeia frowned, she didn't see that. She is a seer, she could see what the future holds, so far, it held nothing but pain and darkness...She held her left forearm where the dark mark is and she sighed.

She looked at Dumbledore for a moment, and she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing seemed to leave.

"I believe this might be our last meeting," he said, his voice soft as he slowly approached Cassiopeia. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I have all my trust in you, my dear. To both of you and Severus."

She remained silent and she swallowed hard, she nodded her head. "See you again, Professor," Cassiopeia said, her eyes glancing into his blue ones.

Cassiopeia left the office, her heart heavy but resolute. She had done everything she could to warn Dumbledore and protect her friends. Now, all she could do was hope that it would be enough.

As she made her way back down the hall she couldn't shake the feeling that this night would change everything. As she entered the Room of Requirement, she saw Draco already waiting for her. He wore his black suit, to make sure he would be hidden in the dark just like she was. She lets out a breath, and she took the letter from his hand. Draco had his jaw clenched, and his face paler than ever.

The Vanishing Cabinet loomed before her, its dark wood polished to a sinister gleam. Draco stood beside her, his face pale and drawn with anxiety.

They had been working tirelessly, their efforts culminating in this moment. The spell "Harmonia Nectere Passus" was the final piece of the puzzle, the magic that would restore the Cabinet's ability to transport people between locations.

Cassiopeia swallowed hard, the letter clutched in her hands. She looked up at the cabinet, and she lets out a deep breath.

Together, they raised their wands, pointing them at the Cabinet. "Harmonia Nectere Passus," they chanted in unison, their voices resonating with the ancient magic of the spell.

A soft glow enveloped the Cabinet, the wood humming with power. The air around them crackled with energy, the room growing warm as the magic took hold. Cassiopeia held her breath, watching intently as the Cabinet shuddered and then stilled.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, with a final pulse of light, the Vanishing Cabinet stood completed, its dark presence even more foreboding than before.

Draco let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, a wide grin spreading across his face. "We did it," he said, disbelief and triumph mingling in his voice. "We actually did it."

Cassiopeia felt a surge of relief and accomplishment. They had succeeded in their task, a feat that had seemed almost impossible at times. She turned to Draco, a smile breaking through the tension that had gripped her for so long. "We did," she agreed, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and sadness.

Cassiopeia's smile faltered for a moment, the weight of their success pressing down on her. "They'll be waiting," she said, looking at Draco. "They said they'd come by at midnight."

They stood in silence for a moment, the reality of their actions settling in. The Cabinet was ready, and soon the Death Eaters would be inside Hogwarts. Cassiopeia's heart ached with the knowledge of what was to come, but she pushed the feeling aside. There was no turning back now.

Cassiopeia lets out a breath and she chuckled, finally feeling the small tinge of relief. She looked at her watch, it was still too early, she opened the cabinet and she closed it, making sure it wasn't lock. That was when, she and Draco stood completely still when they heard the door of the room of requirement open and shut.

Cassiopeia and Draco met eyes, and she motioned towards the cabinet, indicating that he should cover it.

"Who's there?" asked a dreamy-like voice, Cassiopeia took out a Peruvian Instant Darkness powder and she motioned towards the voice. Cassiopeia peaked to see Professor Trelawney, holding a handful of sherry bottles.

In an instant, Cassiopeia threw it at the person who said the voice. The entire place around Professor Trelawney went dark, and she lets out a screech.

"How---dare---you---aaagh!" She screamed, Draco grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her right out of the Room of Requirements, closing the door shut.

"Bloody Trelawney," cursed Draco, scowling as he held the door shut. Cassiopeia scoffed and she took a fallen bottle from the ground. With a flick of her wand, the powder disappeared. She looked at Draco before throwing the bottle away.

"The dark mark," said Cassiopeia, her eyes lingering with a tinge of darkness as she looked back at the cabinet. "I'll do it, you...you'll stay here."

"And what will I do here?" asked Draco, his eyes staring into Cassiopeia. He had an angry look on his face.

"We've still got time," said Cassiopeia, glancing at her watch. She straightened her suit, and she lets out a heavy breath. "You wait here, I will stand by the Astronomy Tower. I'll be back before midnight."

Draco scowled at her, opening his mouth to protest but Cassiopeia walked out of the Room of Requirements, making sure no one was there before she fully stepped out. She could hear the voice of Professor Trelawney...and...Harry?

"I think you'd better tell Professor Dumbledore," said Harry. Cassiopeia frowned and she moved to hide behind a wall, listening into their conversation. "He ought to know Draco's celebrating---I mean, that someone threw you out of the room."

"The Headmaster was intimated that he would prefer fewer visits from me," sais Professor Trelawney coldly. "I am not one to press my company upon those who value it. If Dumbledore chooses to ignore the warnings the cards show---"

Cassiopeia frowned, she was so close to leave the Room of Requirement noticed. She sighed as she tried to walk away, but she couldn't help continue listening. She knew Harry was definitely annoyed.

"Again and again, no matter how much I lay them out---" said Trelawney. She pulled a card dramatically from underneath her shawls. "---the lightning struck tower! Calamity. Disaster. Coming nearer all the time!"

"Right..." said Harry again. Cassiopeia shook her head at Harry's response. She continued her walk the opposite way of where Harry was going to.

As she walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, Cassiopeia couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the brink of something monumental. The events of the night would change everything, for better or worse.

She reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room, the familiar stone wall shifting to allow them entry. As she stepped inside, Cassiopeia felt a pang of nostalgia. This had been her home for the past few years, a place of refuge and companionship. Now, it was a reminder of the path she had chosen, a path that led to darkness and uncertainty.

As she entered her dormitory, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The weight of her actions pressed down on her, but she knew there was no turning back now.

She sat on her bed, drawing the curtains closed around her. The dormitory was silent, the other girls asleep, as always. Cassiopeia let her thoughts drift, the events of the past few days playing out in her mind. She thought of Harry, of their moments by the Black Lake, and the vision that had shaken her to her core.

As the first light of dawn crept into the room, Cassiopeia made a silent vow. No matter what happened tonight, she would protect those she loved. She would face the darkness head-on, and she would do whatever it took to ensure their safety.

With a heavy heart and a determined mind, Cassiopeia prepared herself for the night to come. The Cabinet was ready, and so was she.

a/n:
get your tissues ready