Chapter 69:
CASSIOPEIA MALFOY

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.•°★ SEVERUS Snape shut the door to his office with a firm click, his mind racing. The encounter with Neville, Ginny, and Luna had been too close for comfort. He couldn't shake the image of Cassiopeia standing there, her wand poised, yet her eyes filled with a torment he knew all too well.

He approached the portrait of Albus Dumbledore, his expression dark and troubled. "We need to talk," he said curtly.

Dumbledore's painted form looked down at him, those familiar twinkling blue eyes now flat and serious. "What troubles you, Severus?"

"It's Cassiopeia," Snape began, pacing the room like a caged animal. "She is not suited for this mission. She's too emotionally involved. Too weak."

"Emotionally involved?" Dumbledore repeated, his tone contemplative. "I believe she cares deeply for the cause, Severus. That is not a weakness."

Snape spun around, his robes flaring. "She hesitates, Dumbledore. She questions everything. Every action we take. It's only a matter of time before she slips and blows our cover."

Dumbledore's portrait tilted his head slightly. "Is it her hesitation that worries you, or the reasons behind it?"

Snape's jaw tightened. "Both. She is wavering. I see it in her eyes every time we have to act against the students. Her heart isn't in it, and that makes her a liability."

Dumbledore sighed softly. "She is still young, Severus. She has a conscience. That does not make her weak."

Snape slammed his hands on the desk, causing several jars to rattle. "A conscience can be a fatal flaw in our line of work, Dumbledore. It makes her unpredictable. Dangerous."

The old headmaster’s portrait remained calm, his gaze steady. "I would argue that her conscience makes her exactly the kind of person we need in this fight. Someone who remembers what we are fighting for."

Snape's eyes flashed with anger. "I look at her, Dumbledore, and I see myself. The younger version of me, who still believed in right and wrong. Who thought he could play both sides and come out unscathed."

"Have learnt to care for the young girl?"  Dumbledore asked, tilting his head slightly.

"I don't care, Dumbledore." Snape sneered, narrowing his eyes at Dumbledore's portrait.

"Severus—"

"No!" Snape interrupted, his voice rising. "You don't understand. I don't want her to end up like me! Torn between duty and guilt, constantly battling the darkness within. She deserves better."

Dumbledore's expression softened. "Perhaps she does. But she also deserves the chance to prove herself. To make her own choices."

Snape began pacing again, his mind a whirl of conflicted thoughts. "She is already too close to Potter. Her emotions cloud her judgment."

"Is it her closeness to Harry that concerns you, or your own fears?"

Snape stopped in his tracks, glaring at the portrait. "This isn't about me."

"Isn't it?" Dumbledore asked gently. "You fear for her because you see the potential for the same mistakes you made. But Cassiopeia is not you, Severus. She has her own path to walk."

"Her path is leading her to ruin," Snape muttered, running a hand through his greasy hair. "And it will ruin us all if she falters at the wrong moment."

"Severus," Dumbledore said softly, "you must trust her. Trust in her strength, as I trust in yours."

Snape's shoulders slumped, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. "Trusting in others has never been my strong suit."

"I know," Dumbledore acknowledged. "But Cassiopeia is not alone. She has you to guide her. To help her navigate these treacherous waters."

Snape turned back to face the portrait, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "I don't know if I can protect her. Not from this."

"You cannot shield her from everything," Dumbledore said gently. "But you can support her. Help her find the balance she needs."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "And if she fails?"

"Then we will deal with it together," Dumbledore replied. "But I believe in her, Severus. And I believe in you."

Silence fell between them, the crackling of the fire in the hearth the only sound in the room. Snape felt the tight knot of fear and doubt in his chest loosening, just a fraction.

"She has to be stronger," he said finally. "She has to learn to bury her emotions. To act without hesitation."

"She will learn," Dumbledore assured him. "But she needs time. And your guidance."

Snape nodded slowly, his mind already turning to the next steps. "I'll do what I can."

"That's all any of us can do," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "Thank you, Severus."

Snape gave a curt nod and turned away, his mind still heavy with concern. He had fought so hard to protect those he cared about, to atone for his past sins. Now, he faced the challenge of helping Cassiopeia navigate her own path through the darkness.

As he left his office, his thoughts remained on the young witch who had become such an integral part of his life. He could only hope that, in guiding her, he wouldn't lead her into the same traps that had ensnared him.

Cassiopeia's journey was fraught with danger and uncertainty. But if there was one thing Severus Snape understood, it was that sometimes, the greatest strength came from the struggle within. And he would be there, every step of the way, to ensure she found her way through.

---

The atmosphere in the tent had been tense for days. The close quarters and constant pressure were wearing on them all, but the locket Horcrux was the worst of it. It seeped its malevolence into their minds, sowing discord and amplifying their frustrations.

Harry sat hunched over, his eyes fixed on the map of possible Horcrux locations spread out before him. Ron was pacing, the locket swinging heavily around his neck. Hermione sat in the corner, her face pale and drawn with worry.

Harry rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of their mission bearing down on him. His thoughts drifted to Cassiopeia, and the serpent ring she had given him. He pulled it from his pocket and stared at it, feeling a pang of longing and confusion.

Ron, fiddling with the radio they had managed to steal, suddenly perked up. "Hey, listen to this."

A voice crackled through the static, relaying news from the wizarding world. "...and in other news, Hogwarts has seen significant changes under the new regime. Severus Snape has taken over as Headmaster, with Cassiopeia Malfoy appointed as Head Girl..."

Harry's heart sank at the mention of her name. He slipped the ring back into his pocket and stood up, his mind racing. He had to talk to someone about this. He found Hermione sitting just outside the tent, her face turned towards the darkening sky.

"Hermione," he began hesitantly, "I need to tell you something."

She turned to him, her expression wary. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Do you remember the patronus we saw at the cafe? The doe?"

"Yes," Hermione replied slowly. "You said it reminded you of someone."

"It was Cassiopeia's," Harry said, his voice trembling slightly. "I know it was her. And at the wedding, she was the death eater who asked me to leave when they attacked. She also saved me from getting hit by a curse when we left Privet Drive."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Harry, you can't be serious. Cassiopeia? She's one of them now."

"I know what I saw, Hermione!" Harry insisted. "She's not like the others. I think she's trying to help us."

Hermione shook her head, her expression hardening. "Harry, you're letting your feelings for her cloud your judgment. She's a Death Eater. I told you she wasn't trustworthy from the start."

Anger flared in Harry's chest. "You don't know her like I do! She's risking her life to help us. She could be our only ally on the inside."

"Or she could be leading us into a trap," Hermione countered. "You have to think rationally about this."

Harry's hands clenched into fists. "I am thinking rationally. You're just too blinded by your prejudices to see the truth!"

Hermione's face flushed with anger. "And you're too blinded by your emotions to see that she's dangerous!"

"Fine!" Harry shouted, his voice echoing in the night. "Believe what you want. But I'm not giving up on her."

With that, he turned and stormed away, his heart pounding with frustration and hurt. He needed to clear his head, to think about everything that had happened. He wandered into the woods, the cold night air doing little to calm his turbulent thoughts.

He sat down on a fallen log, his mind replaying the moments he had shared with Cassiopeia. The stolen glances, the brief touches, the way she had always been there when he needed her most. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was still fighting for him, despite the darkness surrounding her.

But Hermione's words echoed in his mind, sowing seeds of doubt. Was he really seeing the truth, or was he being blinded by his feelings for her? He didn't know anymore.

The night wore on, and Harry eventually made his way back to the tent. Ron and Hermione were both inside, the tension between them palpable. Harry slipped inside silently, lying down on his cot and staring up at the canvas ceiling.

He knew they couldn't afford to be divided. They had to find a way to work together, to trust each other, even when it seemed impossible. But the doubts gnawed at him, making sleep an elusive dream.

As he drifted off, his thoughts returned to Cassiopeia. He clung to the hope that she was still on their side, that she hadn't been lost to the darkness. But only time would tell if his faith in her was justified, or if it would be his undoing.

a/n:
just thought that you guys should see different povs of their thoughts about Cassiopeia! FATHER FIGURE SNAPE??? crazy