Chapter 71:
A COLD ENCOUNTER

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.•°★ WINTER had wrapped the town in a blanket of white, the snow crunching underfoot as Cassiopeia walked through the nearly deserted streets. The cold air bit at her cheeks, and her breath came out in visible puffs. She pulled her cloak tighter around her, her mind preoccupied with the latest reports from the Snatchers. They had been attacked by a man, and she had decided to investigate, even if she didn't have to. She felt that she had to.

As she approached the local pub, a familiar flash of red hair caught her eye. She stopped, her heart pounding as she recognized Ron Weasley exiting the pub, looking around cautiously before heading toward a secluded corner of the town.

A sly smile crept onto Cassiopeia's face as she followed him, her footsteps silent in the snow. "Ron Weasley, pleasure seeing you here," she called out, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm.

Ron jumped, his wand immediately in his hand. "Stupefy!" he shouted, the spell flying toward her.

Cassiopeia swiftly deflected the spell, her own wand outstretched. "Expelliarmus," she said calmly, and Ron's wand flew from his hand, landing in the snow at her feet.

He glared at her, his eyes filled with hatred. "Traitor," he spat, his voice shaking with anger.

Cassiopeia sighed, picking up his wand and holding it casually in her hand. "I'm not here to fight, Ron. I just want to talk."

Ron laughed bitterly. "Talk? You think after everything you've done, we can just have a chat?"

She rolled her eyes. "Where are Harry and Hermione?" she asked, ignoring his outburst.

Ron clenched his fists, his face red with fury. "I wouldn't tell you if you were the last person on earth," he snarled. "You've betrayed us, betrayed everything we stand for. Why would I ever trust you?"

Cassiopeia's expression hardened. "I haven't betrayed anyone, Ron. You have no idea what I'm going through."

"And you have no idea what Harry and Hermione are going through because of you," he shot back. "How can you live with yourself?"

For a moment, Cassiopeia's resolve wavered, but she quickly pushed the guilt aside. "I'm doing what I have to do," she said, her voice steady. "But I won't hurt you, Ron. I just need to know they're safe. And why are you here alone?"

"It's none of your bloody business," Ron laughed again, but this time it was a hollow, mirthless sound. "Safe? Safe from people like you? You're delusional."

Cassiopeia's grip tightened on his wand, but she forced herself to remain calm. "I'm not your enemy," she said softly. "I never wanted to be."

Ron stared at her, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Then prove it. Give me my wand back and leave me alone."

She hesitated for a moment, then sighed and handed the wand back to him. "Take it," she said, her voice tinged with resignation.

He snatched the wand from her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. "Stay away from me," he warned. "If I see you again, I won't hesitate to kill you."

Cassiopeia nodded, stepping back. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Ron." She said, looking at him worriedly.

Without another word, she disapparated, leaving the cold, empty town behind.

---

The halls of Hogwarts were eerily silent as Cassiopeia made her way through the castle. The winter holidays had left the school nearly deserted, and the absence of students made the place feel like a ghost town. Snow had piled up outside, casting a serene blanket over the grounds, but inside, Cassiopeia's heart was anything but calm.

She tugged Harry's Gryffindor scarf around her neck, the initials "H.J.P." a constant reminder of the boy she loved and the impossible choices she had made. She had never given the scarf back after their fifth year, and now it seemed like the only tangible connection she had to him.

As she approached Snape's office, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. She needed to tell him about her encounter with Ron, to share the scant information she had gleaned. She knocked on the door, and it swung open with a creak.

Snape looked up from his desk, his sharp eyes immediately noticing the Gryffindor scarf. "Interesting choice of attire, Cassiopeia," he commented dryly. "A Gryffindor scarf for a Slytherin. How... peculiar."

She ignored his remark, closing the door behind her. "I saw Ron Weasley," she said, getting straight to the point. "He was alone."

Cassiopeia heard Dumbledore's voice, and she saw his portrait behind Snape. "Did he tell you where Harry is?"

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I didn't get much out of him."

The Daily Prophet was laid out on Snape's desk, and she squinted her eyes a bit to notice a few of the Headlines still finding Harry.

"HARRY POTTER UNDESIRABLE NO. 1
Harry Potter wanted for questioning about Dumbledore's  death. He was last seen at the Ministry of Magic, and known to be travelling with Muggle-Born Hermione Granger who has not gone for questioning---"

Before Snape could respond, Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait interjected, his voice echoing through the room. "Headmaster! They are camping in the Forest of Dean! The Mudblood---"

"Do not use that word!" hissed Snape, Cassiopeia frowned.

"---the Granger girl, then, mentioned the place as she opened her bag and I heard her!"

"Good. Very good!" cried the portrait of Dumbledore behind the Headmaster's chair. "Now, Severus, the sword! Do not forget that it must be taken under conditions of need and valour---and he must not see any of you give it! If Voldemort should read Harry's mind and see you acting for him---"

"I know," said Snale curtly. He approached the portrait of Dumbledore and pulled at its side. It swung forward, revealing a hidden cavity behind it from which he took the sword of Gryffindor.

"You hid it there this whole time?" Cassiopeia commented, crossing her arms.

"And you still aren't going to tell me why it's so important to give Potter the sword?" said Snape as he swung a travelling cloak over his robes. Cassiopeia already had robes on, so she didn't need to.

Cassiopeia eyed Dumbledore's portrait, and he gave her a nod. Snape seemed to not know about the Horcruxes, and that Harry has been going about trying to destroy them.

"No, I don't think so," said Dumbledore. "He will know what to do with it. And Severus, be very careful, they may not take kindly of your appearance after George Weasley's mishap---"

"Don't worry, Dumbledore," he said cooly. "I have a plan."

Cassiopeia looked at Dumbledore then at Snape, for a moment, Cassiopeia expected Snape to just walk out since had already turned to the door, leaving her to stay at his office while he gives the sword to Harry. She opened her mouth to say something, but Snape had turned to her.

"Well?" He asked, frowning at her. Cassiopeia blinked.

"And your plan is?" She asked as she followed him out of the office.