Chapter 70:
VISIONS OF DARKNESS

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.•°★ CASSIOPEIA walked briskly through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The castle felt different now, its once-welcoming aura replaced by an oppressive atmosphere. The portraits along the walls seemed to watch her with suspicion, and the students she passed looked away, their faces pale with fear.

Reaching the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office, she muttered the password and ascended the spiral staircase. The door to the office was ajar, and she pushed it open, her eyes narrowing as she stepped inside.

Snape was seated behind the large desk, his expression inscrutable as always. He glanced up when she entered, but before he could speak, Cassiopeia raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"What do you want, Snape?" she asked, her tone tinged with impatience. "I was having breakfast."

Before Snape could respond, Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait, hanging on the wall to the right, interrupted with a haughty voice. "It seems I was called upon by none other than Hermione Granger, the mudblood," he sneered, emphasizing the derogatory term with disdain.

Cassiopeia's eyes widened slightly. "Hermione? What did she want?"

Phineas puffed out his chest. "They were asking questions about the Sword of Gryffindor. However, the girl blindfolded me, so I couldn't see where they are."

Snape leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What exactly did they ask, Phineas?"

"Details about the sword's location and its properties," Phineas replied. "But as I said, I couldn't see their surroundings. They were very careful."

Cassiopeia exchanged a glance with Snape, her mind racing. This was the first real confirmation they had had in weeks that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still actively seeking the Horcruxes and hadn't been captured or worse.

Snape turned his gaze to Cassiopeia, his expression unreadable. "This is a significant development. We now know they are still out there, still searching."

Cassiopeia nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. "Yes, but it also means they are getting closer. We need to be prepared for whatever they might uncover."

Snape leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "The students are becoming restless, and we need to ensure that no one attempts anything foolish."

Phineas, looking rather pleased with himself for delivering the news, settled back into his frame.

Snape then turned his attention fully to Cassiopeia. "I wanted to discuss the security measures for the upcoming week. The Carrows have been increasingly... overzealous in their methods, and it's causing more unrest."

Cassiopeia nodded. "I've noticed. I'll talk to Amycus and Alecto, try to rein them in a bit. We need to keep the students in line, but not break them completely."

Snape's expression softened, just a fraction. "Good. We can't afford any more rebellions. The Dark Lord's patience is thin enough as it is."

Cassiopeia sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know. And with this new information, we need to be even more cautious."

There was a moment of silence, the weight of their responsibilities pressing down on them. Cassiopeia felt the familiar knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. Every day was a battle, not just against the forces outside but within herself as well. The darkness she was forced to embrace was suffocating, and she wondered how much longer she could endure it.

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Cassiopeia sat by the window in her private dorm room, her knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them. She could see the faint outline of the giant squid swimming lazily in the water, its tentacles moving slowly. The peaceful scene outside was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her mind.

She sighed heavily, resting her chin on her knees. The weight of her responsibilities and the darkness she was forced to endure felt overwhelming. Despite everything, her thoughts kept drifting back to Harry. She longed to speak to him, to explain, to apologize. But she knew that was impossible now.

The armchair by the window was soft and inviting, and she eventually found herself sinking into it, her eyelids growing heavy. The exhaustion of the past few months was catching up to her, and soon she drifted into a restless sleep.

Her dreams were vivid and unsettling. She saw Voldemort, his face twisted with malevolent glee, casting spells that struck down innocent people. Screams filled the air as Hogwarts lay in ruins, the walls crumbling, and the once-great castle reduced to rubble. She saw students and teachers alike fleeing in terror, their faces twisted in fear and despair.

And then the vision shifted. She saw Harry, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. He was standing before her, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. The touch was so real, so warm, and she felt tears spring to her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion.

"I love you too," she sobbed, feeling her heart breaking.

Their lips met in a tender, desperate kiss, but it was over all too soon. Harry pulled back, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Goodbye, Cassiopeia," he said softly.

"No," she cried, reaching out for him. "Don't go!"

There was a flash of green light, and everything went dark.

Cassiopeia jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. She was disoriented, her mind trying to make sense of the vision. The vividness of the dream lingered, leaving her shaken and breathless. She looked around her dorm room, the familiar surroundings doing little to comfort her.

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. The images of destruction and death haunted her, and the memory of Harry's kiss was both a comfort and a torment. She couldn't shake the feeling that her vision was more than just a dream—it felt like a premonition, a glimpse of a possible future.

Cassiopeia hugged her legs tighter, feeling the tears start to flow. She felt trapped, torn between her duty and her heart. The darkness she was forced to navigate was suffocating, and she feared that it would consume her entirely.

The vision replayed in her mind, each detail etched vividly. Voldemort's cruelty, the devastation of Hogwarts, and Harry's final goodbye. It felt like a warning, a dire prophecy of what was to come if they failed.

She knew she couldn't ignore it. She had to find a way to protect the ones she loved, to prevent the vision from becoming reality. But how? She was caught in a web of deceit and danger, and any wrong move could spell disaster for everyone.

Cassiopeia wiped her tears, determination hardening her resolve. She couldn't afford to be weak. She had to be strong, for Harry, for her friends, and for the future of the wizarding world. She would find a way to fight the darkness, even if it meant sacrificing everything.