LEGILIMENS

Cassiopeia gasped as she fell on the floor, she was all sweaty and tired. "We're finished! Stop, I'm tired!"

Snape held his wand out, and he rolled his eyes, "You haven't resisted Legilimens until now, and I've been trying to teach you for almost a month, Malfoy!"

"My god," panted Cassiopeia as she stood up, "That was teaching? All you do is throw that spell at me and yell at me afterwards!"

Snape snarled at her, "Did that night when you danced with Potter made you all soft?"

Cassiopeia's jaw dropped, "You did not see that," she gasps. "That's private!"

"The Dark Lord doesn't care if he enters your mind, he'll even use it against you," said Snape, "If it weren't Dumbledore that suggested teaching you, I would've never agreed to, I can't stand being in the same room as you,"

Cassiopeia chuckled, "You better get used to me Snape, you're stuck with me till the day you die!"

"As I told you before, make your mind blank and clear," he said, "you keep losing control,"

"I'm sorry that I'm not as good as you, Professor," Cassiopeia rolled her eyes.

Snape looked at her with disgust, "Legilimens!"

"You didn't give me a head start---!"

°°°

"You sure your family won't mind me coming along?" Cassiopeia asked Ron, as she threw her small bag in the compartment above them.

"I'm sure they will..." he turned to Cassiopeia who grimaced, "But they'll trust you when they know that Harry does,"

Cassiopeia wrote to her parents that she won't be coming home for Christmas, she knew that it'll be boring anyway. Ever since Cassiopeia and her brother turned 11, all their gives were not under the tree anymore. It would either be handed to them bitterly, or they would wake up, and their gifts would be on the foot of their bed.

Her parents agreed, because she didn't tell them anything about staying with Harry. And she just told Draco and her parents that she would stay at Hogwarts.

That meant trying to avoid any Slytherins in the train. Harry, Ron and Hermione picked the very last compartment, even though the train isn't packed full.

The whole train ride was quiet, mostly Ron and Hermione chatting, but it wouldn't last too long. They told Cassiopeia all about the nightmare Harry had, and she felt sorry for the boy, since he's also learning Occlumency with Snape, but Harry did not know Cassiopeia is too.

Soon, when the train stopped a few hours later, they were picked up by Mrs Weasley. All the Weasleys (the ones who are attending Hogwarts) all gathered with them, Cassiopeia quite nervous.

"Hello, children--" Mrs Weasley stopped, she surveyed Cassiopeia, who smiled awkwardly. Harry chuckled at her nervousness. "Malfoy?"

Cassiopeia held out a hand, "Hello, Mrs. Weasley, I- umm, good to see you!"

Cassiopeia stumbled with her words and the Trio couldn't help but laugh, Harry stepped in as Mrs Weasley shook Cassiopeia's hand.

"I invited her," said Harry, as he grabbed her hand. "I hope it's okay,"

"Of course, as long as you're fine with it, Harry," smiled Mrs Weasley, but her eyes looked uncertain. "Now, now, come along!"

°°°

Cassiopeia walked inside the Grimmauld Place, and she knew about this place, her mother had mentioned it quite a few times. It was dusty, corners of the Place had cobwebs.

Harry steps into the doorway, takes in the scene, Cassiopeia beside him. Enchanted snow falling over a Christmas tree in the corner, the kids sit among a huge pile of wrapping paper.

Mr Weasley sits on the very end of the table, a small crown hat placed on his head. Gifts were being given to the children and Mrs Weasley grabbed two, giving one to Harry and another to Cassiopeia, she was shocked.

"Here you go, dear," said Mrs Weasley as she hands Cassiopeia her gift, "I made that in a bit of a rush, I hope it's okay,"

Cassiopeia took it with a smile on her face, "Oh Mrs Weasley, you didn't have to!"

"It's not a problem, dear," said Mrs Weasley, she kissed Harry's cheek lovingly, and she walked back to the table.

Cassiopeia opened the gift, saw it was a scarf, it was a yellow scarf with some designs on it, Cassiopeia grinned as she puts it around her neck.

"A toast! To Mr Harry Potter, without whom, I would not be here," said Mr Weasley as everyone raised their glasses, and Cassiopeia grabbed one that was closer to her. "Harry,"

"Harry," everyone chanted.

°°°

The next few days was fun, they all played games along with the Weasleys and Cassiopeia, for the first time in a very long time, felt happy, even if she isn't at Hogwarts.

She stayed in a room with Harry, both of them too shy to sleep in the same bed together. So Harry slept on the floor, and she slept on the bed.

There was one night, when everyone had gone to sleep. It was cold, so cold that Cassiopeia's teeth was chattering. And she knew Harry is even colder, considering the fact that he was on the floor.

"Hey, are you...a-awake?" she asked through chattering teeth, as she looked down from the bed. Harry, who's blanket was already covering his head, pulled it down and nodded.

"Y-Yep," he said, shivering.

"Good, get up and come here with me," she said, "I can't deal with this cold, and you must be freezing down there as well,"

"I'm fine," he said, "I swear!"

"N-No you're not," she huffed, "Get up here, or I'll sleep there on the floor with you!"

Harry groaned and he took his blanket and pillow. He slid under Cassiopeia's blanket, and he placed his own over them, making them have two blankets. Cassiopeia shivered, moving closer him, she held his arm, and she thought Harry was frozen, since he was not moving.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Me? Umm--yeah, I am," he stuttered, she chuckled, and she buried her face on his neck.

"Stop stuttering, Potter," she whispered, she looked up at him, even though the place was dark, she could still see his face because of the moonlight that's shining through the window. She placed a kiss on his lips before laying back down on his shoulder, falling into a dreamless sleep.

Cassiopeia and Harry walked down the stairs in front of them a bickering Ron and Hermione, when Harry paused in an open doorway, and he stares. Cassiopeia followed his gaze, and she saw that he was staring at an enormous faded tapestry depicting a sprawling family tree.

Cassiopeia read aloud: "Toujours Pur," Harry lifted a brow at her, "It means "always pure" that's what my mother always said to me,"

Cassiopeia looked around the wall, where the entire family tree is. Her fingers brushed on the wall, as she reaches her side.

"Look, it's me," she pointed, turning to Harry who saw her picture. There she was. She had a blank face on the picture, and under that there was her name. "I look awful there,"

"I don't think you look awful," said Harry, she snorted.

"Nasty brat, standing there as bold as brass," muttered Kreacher, the house elf. Cassiopeia frowned at him, he hisses at them. "Harry Potter, the boy who stopped the Dark Lord. Friend to mudbloods and blood-traitors alike...if my poor Mistress only knew..."

He turned to Cassiopeia, "A Malfoy?"

"KREACHER!" yelled the voice of Sirius, he was in the doorway. "Enough of your bile. Leave us."

"Of course, Master. Kreacher lives to serve the Noble House of Black..." he bows out, muttering all the way. Cassiopeia smiled at Sirius, and she gave Harry a nod before leaving him with Sirius.

Soon, they were all standing in front of the front door, waving at everyone. Unfortunately, the holiday break was too short, and they had to go back to Hogwarts. Cassiopeia bids Sirius goodbye and to Mr Weasley before walking out if Grimmauld Place first.

Shortly, Hermione and Ron came along, Ron held his bag around his shoulder and they all (including the twins and Ginny) went back to the Train station.

°°°

Despite not having classes yet for Dumbledore's Army, Cassiopeia and Harry spent most of their time together there. It was nice and cozy, and it was great because there wouldn't be anyone watching them.

They both sat in front of the crackling fire, Cassiopeia's head on his shoulder as they both chatted.

"What will our next lesson be?" she questioned, as she looked at him.

"Patronus Charm," he replied, he stood up, grabbing Cassiopeia's hand, bringing her on her feet. "And I want to see yours,"

"Now?" The girl asked, as she walked in the middle of the room grabbing her wand. "Why?"

"It'd be nice to see yours first," he smiled, Cassiopeia nodded, beaming.

"Okay," she cleared her throat, "What do I need to do?"

"Think of the happiest memory, or anything that brings you joy," Harry instructed, he stood behind her, "Then say, "Expecto Patronum,""

"Okay," she breathed, closing her eyes, thinking of her happiest memory.

"Got it?"

"Yep," she nodded, she opened her eyes and looked at Harry, uncertain, "Do you think I can conjure a Patronus? I mean, it's hard isn't it?"

Harry nodded his head, "It is, but I know you'll be able to do it," he walked closer to her, holding her arm that held her wand. He raised it up a little, and he grinned at her. "Go!"

Cassiopeia felt her cheeks flush red, she turned away and held her wand out: "Expecto Patronum!"

Only a wisp of silvery light shined out if her wand, but it easily died down. But, she didn't give up just yet. She kept thinking about her Christmas day with her brother, then after that all the days she spent roaming around London alone, then the day when she received the letter from Hogwarts.

But those happy memories didn't seem so strong, after almost six hard tries, Cassiopeia was ready to give up.

"I'll never conjure a Patronus," she groaned, Harry looked at her with a mix of pity and the urge to laugh at her face.

Harry cleared his throat, "Well what memory did you think of?"

"This time I thought of the day I got my letter to Hogwarts," she said, her shoulders sinking. Her eyes suddenly widened, finally, why didn't she think of that!

"What?" asked Harry, noticing her features changing so suddenly, Cassiopeia grinned.

"I think I got it," she said, she held her wand out again. "Expecto Patronum!"

A wisp of silvery light came out at the end of her wand, at first she thought she didn't do it, but suddenly a doe came booming out from the wisp. She stared awestruck, and shocked.

It strutted around happily, around her and then around Harry. She chuckled, and Harry conjured his Patronus. A stag.

The Patronus' leaped around together, the stag chasing the doe, and soon they disappeared. Cassiopeia beamed.

"A doe," she whispered, she turned to Harry, "That was unexpected,"

Harry and the girl shared a smile, and Cassiopeia approached him, placing a kiss on his lips.

°°°

Updates and news from the Daily Prophet that Bellatrix Lestrange had escaped Azkaban. Everyone has been kn edge, especially Neville.

And well, let's not forget that Cassiopeia got a letter from her Aunt last year. She shudders, not wanting to think about her Aunt and what she might teach Cassiopeia soon, or whatever she might do.

Cassiopeia was tired, sitting down as she wipes her sweaty forehead. Another night, and another lesson from Snape. She groaned as she buried her face in her hands, Snape is leaning against a table, fidgeting with his wand as he lifted a brow at the tired girl.

"If you won't be able to clear your mind tonight, Malfoy, then I will tell Dumbledore you're not up for this mission," he snarled, "you're weak, so many things floating in your head,"

Closing her eyes, Cassiopeia stood back up letting out a breath, trying her best to push out everything in her mind. Nothing mattered right now, she was determined.

"Legilimens!" yelled Snape.

She groaned as she felt her head become painful, memories flash before her eyes. Her horrible visions and her worst memories flooding back.

Cassiopeia was tired, and she did not want to deal with this anymore. She could feel her wand in her hand, and she swished it around, unable to control it. It was as if she was drowning, trying her best to pull herself up.

"Crucio!"

That was when she felt herself come back, she gasped. She stared at Snape, shocked. But she did not hit him, Snape just stared at her with widened eyes.

"Did I hit you?" She asked urgently, "I'm sorry, Professor---"

"No, you did not," he replied, straightening up, "That is why you need to control yourself, stop being so emotional, close them up along with your thoughts!"

She lets out a breath, she was confused, tired and shocked that she almost hit Snape with the torture curse. It just slipped out. But out of all curses, she decided on an unforgivable one? But it was better than the Killing Curse at least. She kept thinking about it and Snape lets out an annoyed sigh.

"That's enough, Malfoy," he spat, "One more, Legilimens!"

"Stupefy!" She yelled, swishing her wand towards Snape. He flew back, hitting his cupboard of Potions.

That went on, and she finally had kept him off her mind. But they were not done with the lessons, she still had to attended them, to test Cassiopeia that it wasn't just pure luck.

°°°

"Harry! Harry!" shouted Cassiopeia, grabbing his arm, "Hey, I won't be able to go today,"

Harry's eyebrows knitted together, they were standing in a crowded place, nobody giving any attention to whatever they're talking about, "why?"

"Well, the Inquisitorial Squad has been really stressful lately," she said, then she leaned in to whisper: "They've been doing everything, and I'm trying my best to mislead them,"

"All right," he nodded, he held her hand, both of them not making it quite obvious, and he squeezed it, "Good luck,"

"You too," she said.

After her lessons with Snape was finished, she thought that she didn't have to worry about anything else anymore. Except, the stupid Squad has been doing everything they could to try and get their hands on Dumbledore's Army.

’D'you reckon what Potter and his gang is doing?" asked Draco, as he and sister walked around Hallways, looking for anything suspicious.

"No," she replied, "They won't tell me anything, probably because I'm a part of this Squad,"

"Then why'd you join it if you knew they would stop telling you things?" Draco lifting a brow, curiously.

"You think they're more important than me getting extra credit?" She spat, annoyed, but obviously It's because she was doing the best she can to mislead them.

Draco nodded, "Heard the news about Aunt Bella?"

"Oh yeah," she nodded, "Can't wait to see Longbottom's face when they come face to face, would be worth to watch,"

Draco laughed, and Cassiopeia cursed at herself, letting it slip. Since all of this happened, she has been in a horrible mood, and she thought it could be Snape's fault.

After they finished surveying the Hallways, they went back to Umbridge's office to tell her that they did not see anything.

Cassiopeia opened the door first, a bored look on her face. But that bored look was quickly switched to a shocked one. Cho was there in Umbridge's office, sitting in front of Umbridge, her face pink.

"Ah, hello," smiled Umbridge, "There will be no need to say anything. Miss Cho Chang here had told us everything. Gather everyone to the seventh floor!"

"Shit," muttered Cassiopeia under her breath as Draco beamed. Draco grabbed Cho aggressively, as they all stood up and walked out of the office, Cassiopeia sending Cho a glare when the two met eyes.

Filch was there too, when the entire Inquisitorial Squad had reached the seventh floor, Filch used his sledgehammer to try and open the wall.

Thud---Thud---Thud!!

Cassiopeia was biting the insides of her cheeks, anxious. Just then, Umbridge placed a hand on Filch's shoulder, stopping him.

"Stand aside, Argus," she said, "I'll make short of this," she took out her wand, pointing it to the hole, and Cassiopeia could see a faint tint of blue from the inside. "Bombarda Maxima!"

BOOM---! A glittering explosion rocks the room. Dust was everywhere, and Cassiopeia winces, seeing the room.

"Get them!" shouted Umbridge, Cassiopeia went inside the room, including the others, as dusty air went clear.

Cassiopeia grabbed Harry, whispering into his ear. "I'm sorry, Harry. I couldn't stop them,"