Chapter 67:
IF ONE ONLY REMEMBERS

○○○

.•°★ WORRIES have piled in Cassiopeia's mind, she couldn't focus in her studies. Harry, Hermione and Ron are nowhere to be seen. Voldemort is out of the country, trying to look for something Cassiopeia did not know of.

Quidditch has been banned, and the castle felt even more gloomy than before. She sat in the Common Room, flipping through the daily prophet. Harry is one of the most wanted people out there, and along with Hermione. Ron however, was confirmed by some Death Eaters to be in their home at the Burrow, sick and contagious. Cassiopeia knew that it wasn't true of course.

Blaise sat down next to her, and he gave her a small smile. "Hey, it's been quite a while since we've talked."

Cassiopeia remained silent, as she flipped through the daily prophet, seeing the announcement that Snape is now the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. She ignored Blaise.

"Fine, ignore me all you want," said Blaise as he leaned back.

"Can I help you?" She asked, not bothering to put the Daily Prophet down.

"I just wanted to see how you're doing," he replied, tilting his head as he turned the pages of the Daily Prophet. Crabbe and Goyle had entered the room, snickering to themselves. Cassiopeia lifted a brow.

"I'm doing well, thank you." She replied, her voice monotonous and simple. She did not let an ounce of emotion show.

If she was being honest, she didn't know how she was doing. Was it anger? Tiredness? Fear? It was all in her mind and she didn't know whatever it was.

"Really, because you look like---"

"I haven't slept in days?" She questioned, pulling the Daily Prophet down so she could glare at Blaise. "What's it to you, Blaise?"

Cassiopeia ignored him, and she took a glance of his quite shocked face at her glare. She stood up, and left the Common Room. The hallways were quiet and eerie, not even Peeves hovered around late at night. Filch is nowhere to be seen, and Cassiopeia looked outside to see the Dementors guarding every single inch of the castle.

She shivered slightly, and she turned away. The air was cold, colder than the usual. The castle of course at this time, quiet and eerie. Nobody dared to step outside when there is a curfew.

"Oi! Who do we have 'ere..." said a loud, male voice. Cassiopeia turned around and saw Amycus Carrow, his face scrunched up. "Oh it's just you. Where are you off to?"

"Snape, I need to have a word," she replied. Amycus chuckled and he watched as Cassiopeia walked away.

"You tell 'im the Gryffindors have a way in their common room and we need to keep an eye out for 'em," he shouted, his voice booming as Cassiopeia walked. She stopped, and she turned around, frowning.

"What do you mean?"

"They are probably going about with a plan," said Amycus, as he examined his wand. He leaned against a stone wall, his face reflected by the torch that burned on the wall. "To take us down, or some sort. I had to give one of 'em a lesson didn't I?"

Cassiopeia tilted her head, "Which Gryffindor did you torture this time, Amycus?" She questioned.

"That mudblood Creevey," he replied. "Talked back on me sister, he had to be taught a lesson now."

She paused and she lets out a breath those poor children that the Carrows have hurt for no reason. She nodded her head before turning away and up towards Dumbledore's office...now is technically Snape's. Her footsteps echoed, and for the first time, she felt afraid of what was lingering in the darkness of Hogwarts.

She opened the door to the Headmasters office, not bothering to knock. She looked around, and didn't see Snape anywhere at all. She closed the door, and she spotted Phineas Nigellus, who sat in his painting near the sword of Gryffindor, fidgeting with whatever.

Dumbledore's painting was there too, and he seemed to be asleep until Cassiopeia had tripped over a fallen Sneakoscope on the floor. She took it, and placed it back on the shelf. There, Dumbledore moved and he spotted Cassiopeia.

"Ah," said Dumbledore, "Cassiopeia, how are you?"

Cassiopeia gave him a weak smile, "I was hoping to finally speak to you alone, Professor." She said, her voice gentle as she slowly made her way towards Dumbledore's portrait.

"Go on," nodded Dumbledore, the twinkle in his eyes very visible, as if he hadn't died.

"I'm worried, you know," said Cassiopeia, "For Harry...Ron, Hermione---everyone. And myself."

"Yourself?" questioned Dumbledore, tilting his head, his half-moon spectacles being pushed back to the bridge of his nose.

"Is it odd?" She asked, sighing as she looked around the office. Nothing seemed to have changed, except for a few parchments, and decree's on the office table. "That I feel like I'm being engulfed by the darkness? I can't...I can't control myself."

Dumbledore remained silent for a moment as he listened to her words, he watched carefully from his painting. Cassiopeia gazed at the fake sword of Gryffindor behind a glass cabinet. She knew of the task that Dumbledore had given Snape and her, to be able to find a way to give the sword of Gryffindor to Harry.

Dumbledore regarded her with a gentle smile. "It is normal to feel overwhelmed when one is faced with such difficult choices. You are in a unique position, Cassiopeia, and it is not an easy one."

She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I don't know if I can do this anymore. The things I've seen, the things I've done...without hesitation."

Dumbledore's expression softened. "You remind me of another young person I once knew. He, too, was faced with impossible choices and did everything in his power to protect the one he loved."

Cassiopeia looked up at him, curiosity piqued. "Who was he?"

"You will know soon enough," Dumbledore replied. "He made great sacrifices, endured immense pain, all for the sake of love. It is not an easy path, but it is one that requires great strength and courage."

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to pierce through her, seeing into the depths of her soul. "He held onto the belief that his actions, though dark, were ultimately for a greater good. He never lost sight of what truly mattered."

She swallowed hard, trying to absorb his words. "I just... I don't know if I'm strong enough to keep going," said Cassiopeia. "Because I know I'd end up killing someone if the Dark Lord wanted me to."

"You are stronger than you realize," Dumbledore said gently. "And remember, strength does not mean the absence of fear. It means persevering in spite of it. You have the power to make choices, to change the course of your destiny."

Cassiopeia felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "But what if I have to betray Voldemort? What if it comes to that?"

Dumbledore's expression grew serious. "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you must abandon the trust of Voldemort, do so without hesitation. Your life, your soul, are worth more than any allegiance to darkness."

She nodded, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over her. "Thank you, Professor. I needed to hear that."

"You are not alone, Cassiopeia," Dumbledore said, his voice filled with warmth. "There are those who care for you, who believe in you. Hold onto that. And remember, the light can always be found, even in the darkest of times."

Cassiopeia took a deep breath, and she nodded her head warily. She turned away from Dumbledore, and she looked out the window. The fog lingered, and no moonlight could be seen through it.

Dumbledore's smile widened. "That is all anyone can ask of you."

---

Cassiopeia entered the dark arts subject, gripping her book in her hands. She placed her bag, and she spotted Neville Longbottom glaring at her from her side. Only a few muggle borns remained at Hogwarts, which are some targets for the Carrows to hurt.

Her brother sat next to her, and he too, remained silent. There has not been any good news, and their mark seemed to tickle many times a day. She watched at Amycus walked to the front of the classroom.

"Now," said Amycus, "Remember where we left off now?"

The students exchanged uneasy glances, their apprehension palpable. Cassiopeia remained silent, her gaze fixed on the front of the room. She knew she had to maintain her cover, to appear as though she supported the lessons being taught.

Amycus's eyes gleamed as he looked over the students. "To truly understand the effectiveness of the Cruciatus Curse, we need a volunteer."

No one moved. The room was filled with an uneasy silence.

Amycus's smile widened as his gaze landed on a Gryffindor student in the front row. "Ah, Mr. Longbottom, why don't you step forward? Maybe a little...parents to child kind of lesson."

Neville Longbottom's face drained of color as he slowly stood up, his eyes filled with dread, he was hesitant, afraid, but Amycus was strong, and he wasn't alone in the room. Two Death Eaters stood in the corners, so no Gryffindors could try anything funny against them. Cassiopeia felt a pang of guilt but kept her expression neutral. She knew she had to tread carefully.

"Now, watch closely, everyone," Amycus said, his wand trained on Neville. "Crucio!"

Neville collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as the curse took hold. The other students looked on in horror, some averting their eyes. Cassiopeia clenched her fists, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't let this continue, but she had to act with caution.

"Professor Carrow," Cassiopeia said, her voice smooth and calm, "may I suggest a different approach?"

Amycus looked up, surprised. "And what approach would that be, Miss Malfoy?" He stopped the curse, and Neville panted on the ground. He was helped up by Seamus Finnigan.

She walked to the front of the room, her expression dark and composed. "We could demonstrate the effects of the curse on a non-living target. It would be just as educational without causing unnecessary harm to the students."

Amycus narrowed his eyes, studying her. "And why should we spare them, Miss Malfoy? They need to understand the pain they can inflict."

Cassiopeia met his gaze steadily. "Because fear can be just as powerful a motivator as pain, if not more so. If they see the effects of the curse on an object, they will still understand its power without risking their health."

Amycus seemed to consider this for a moment before he reluctantly nodded. "Very well. Bring forth a suitable target."

Cassiopeia turned and flicked her wand, causing a large stone to levitate and settle in the center of the room. "Crucio!" she said, her voice cold and commanding.

The stone cracked and splintered under the force of the curse, the sound echoing through the room. The students watched in awe and fear, understanding the devastating power of the spell.

"Thank you, Miss Malfoy," Amycus said, his tone grudgingly respectful. "You may return to your seat. But remember, I allow that presentation once only, next, I'll try it on some first years..."

Cassiopeia nodded and walked back to her place, her heart still racing. She had managed to divert the curse away from Seamus, but she knew she couldn't keep this up forever. The darkness was closing in, and she had to find a way to navigate it without losing herself.

As the lesson continued, she kept a close eye on the students, ready to intervene if necessary. She had to maintain her cover, but she also had to protect them as best she could. It was a delicate balance, one that required every ounce of her strength and cunning.

When the class finally ended, Cassiopeia let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had made it through another day, but the challenges were far from over. She gathered her things and left the classroom, her mind racing with thoughts of how to protect those she cared about while maintaining her façade.