Chapter 66:
A NEW ORDER

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.•°★ CASSIOPEIA sat by the window, looking out over the darkened grounds of Hogwarts. The future was uncertain, and the choices she made now would shape the fate of everyone she cared about. As the night deepened, she vowed to find a way to protect those she loved, even if it meant walking the line between darkness and light.

The once welcoming castle now loomed dark and ominous, a stark reminder of the new regime. Death Eaters patrolled the grounds, and the familiar faces of the staff were few and far between. It was clear that Hogwarts had fallen under the shadow of Voldemort's rule.

As they entered the Great Hall, Cassiopeia's heart ached. The hall, usually filled with the buzz of excited students, was now eerily silent. The long tables were packed with returning students, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. At the head table, the Carrow siblings-Amycus and Alecto-sat with smug expressions, reveling in their newfound power.

Snape, now the headmaster, took his place at the center of the head table. Cassiopeia stood beside him, her face a mask of calm despite the turmoil inside her. The students watched with a mix of curiosity and dread as Snape rose to address them.

Cassiopeia stood beside Snape, her eyes scanning the assembled students in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The once vibrant room now felt oppressively dark, the atmosphere heavy with fear and tension. The house banners hung limply, as if mourning the loss of the school's former glory. Beside her, the Carrow siblings stood with smug expressions, their presence a chilling reminder of the new regime.

Snape stepped forward, his gaze cold and unforgiving as he looked out over the sea of young faces. The students, from first years to seventh years, watched him with a mix of apprehension and defiance.

Snape began, his voice echoing through the hall in his usual tone. "As you are all aware, this year will be different from any you have experienced before. The school is now under the direct control of the Ministry of Magic."

A murmur of fear and anger rippled through the students, but Snape continued without pause. "Let me be perfectly clear. Any acts of defiance, any attempts to disrupt the new order, will be met with swift and severe punishment."

He glanced at the Carrows, who both nodded in agreement. "Amycus Carrow will be teaching the new subject of the Dark Arts," Snape continued. "You will learn the Dark Arts, and you will learn them well."

Amycus Carrow grinned malevolently, his eyes glittering with anticipation. Cassiopeia felt a shiver run down her spine but kept her expression neutral. Instead of wearing her robes, Cassiopeia wore her black suit, as if she weren't a student.

Snape then turned his attention to Cassiopeia. "Furthermore, Cassiopeia Malfoy has been appointed Head Girl. She will have the authority to enforce discipline and ensure that the rules are followed. I expect you all to respect her and obey her instructions."

The Slytherins shared a look, their faces beaming with pride. Cassiopeia caught the eyes of Draco, who looked away. However, as her gaze shifted to the Gryffindor table, she saw Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom glaring at her with undisguised hatred. Their expressions mirrored those of many other students from the other houses.

She saw Ginny clenching her fists, Neville's eyes burning with defiance. But they remained silent, knowing that any protest would be futile.

"Curfew will be strictly enforced, and any breaches will be dealt with harshly." said Snape, looking down at the students.

As the dinner arrived, the gloomy Great Hall seemed to not beam. It was eerily silent, hushed voices and conversations. Cassiopeia didn't eat, nor did she go back to the Slytherin table. She stood in the corner, eyeing everyone. She didn't feel hungry, not when these things are happening.

Appointing her as Head Girl was unnecessary, but Snape claimed he needed someone to keep an eye out for the Carrows before they do anything stupid like hurting the students.

Now that the Dark Lord had full control of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts was in his power as well. And teachers did not fight back, in order to keep the students safe. It was better than being locked up in Azkaban---if they were lucky. Muggle Studies have been changed, and Dark Arts have been implemented. No more "Defense Against the Dark Arts" as requested by the Carrows.

The students began to file out of the Great Hall, their conversations hushed and fearful. Cassiopeia stood still, her heart heavy with the weight of her new responsibilities. She had accepted the role of Head Girl, but at what cost? The lines between duty and morality were blurring, and she wondered how long she could maintain the facade.

As the hall emptied, she caught a final glance from Ginny Weasley, whose eyes seemed to pierce through her. Cassiopeia stared back at her, and she lifted a brow. Ginny couldn't do anything about what she was doing, and Cassiopeia hated that. She hated how easy it was for Ginny to stare at her with hatred. If only she knew what Cassiopeia had gone through. She wanted nothing more than to curse anyone who thought she was evil---then she caught herself.

She would really be evil if she took her anger out on anyone. But the emotions built up in her chest seemed to grow heavy, feeling like she is engulfed by the darkness that she had surrounded herself in.

When the hall emptied, and the start of new classes soon to open, Cassiopeia walked down from the front of the Great Hall, when she met eyes with Slughorn. He gave her a disappointed look before he looked away. She sighed, and she walked out of the Hall, down to the Slytherin Common Room.

A few first years seem to linger in the common room, and Cassiopeia couldn't help but notice the innocence in their eyes. The same innocence she had when she first walked in Beauxbatons in her first year...and the same curiosity when she arrived at Hogwarts in her third.

The first years hurried up to their dormitories as Cassiopeia walked in, she could see Pansy Parkinson looking at Cassiopeia.

Pansy scoffed, "You seem to be quite proud of yourself, aren't you, Malfoy?" She said, her high pitched voice reaching Cassiopeia's ears.

The blonde haired girl lifted a brow at Pansy, as Cassiopeia was about to walk pass her up to the dorms. "I am quite proud that I have been appointed Head girl, Parkinson."

Pansy glared at her, and Blaise sent Pansy a look. She huffed, "No. Do you think I haven't heard, Malfoy? You are the Dark Lord's favourite now..."

"I do not think that's any of your business," said Cassiopeia, narrowing her blue eyes.

"It is quite my business," said Parkinson, "seeing as what my family has got to say--- you're nothing but lucky."

Cassiopeia walked over to grab Pansy by her collar, and she sneered at him. "You better watch your tongue, Pansy Parkinson." She whispered dangerously as her anger filled up. "Your family has a lot to say, but they're nothing more than useless just like you, you pug-face. Don't you dare tell me I had it lucky."

"Cassiopeia, that's enough," said Draco, appearing out of nowhere. He grabbed Cassiopeia's shoulder, and Blaise did the same to Pansy who looked angered, but she didn't reply.

Cassiopeia pushed Draco's grip, and she glared up at him. "You better watch yourself, brother." She sneered, before she looked back at Pansy.

"And you better make sure you don't get ahead of yourself, Parkinson," said Cassiopeia, gripping her wand already. "Let's remember who's in a higher position here."

And with that, Cassiopeia glared at Draco as she went up to her private dormitory. She couldn't help herself, again, she could feel the anger rising up.

Lucky? Lucky? She wasn't near lucky. And if she could, she would run away and be with Harry, wherever he is. The glares, the words...she couldn't help herself.

She was starting to drift into the darkness.