𝓢𝓾𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮

XVIII

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Ever since her talk with Dumbledore, Cassiopeia had taken to quiet walks in the evening. If anything, figuring out where her heart lied was even more exhausting than acting nice to people you didn't think you'd take to.

Unfortunately for Cass, she was slowly growing fond of those she was supposed to despise, and distant from Andie and the other Slytherins. Much of her time was now spent with Fred and George, and she'd even considered talking to Cedric; she still couldn't decide if she was acting for her own gain or if she genuinely cared for these people.

Of course, no one suspected anything - not even Andie. Her letters to her father grew in consistency and she found herself talking vaguely about Potter, as she chose to hone in on her grades and Draco's antics, which was enough to fill a book, let alone a few letters.

It was nearing the end of the school year, and Cassiopeia knew that she'd have plenty to reflect upon in the summer. Maybe, to give the 'opposition' a fair chance, she'd spend time with the Weasleys over the summer, and convince her father that it was her playing the game.

And she was playing a game, in a sense, but it was one where she secretly was considering playing for the opposition. Where she once felt disgust and embarrassment, she now was merely curious. And besides, how would she be able to make up her mind if she didn't spread her time around?

On a cool summers night, Cassiopeia found herself on the third floor, and the Slytherin girl was aware that she not technically supposed to be here, but surely, she thought, that just meant she had a lower risk of being found by Filch.

Tracing her fingers against a nearby wall, Cassiopeia couldn't help but hear a flurry of footsteps from behind her. She turned around, yet there was no one there.

"Hello?" she called out, looking all around her. Was she imagining it? It was getting rather late, after all.

"...Cassie?" a familiar voice whispered, which was followed by two other voices berating him.

"Oh, come on, Harry! It's supposed to be a secret!" Hermione Granger huffed, and Cassiopeia saw a foot in front of her stomp, before promptly being hidden.

"What are you doing, mate? It could be her!" Ron Weasley added, and the Malfoy couldn't help but notice the empty space before her rustle.

After quickly bickering amongst themselves, Harry threw some sort of fabric back, revealing the trio to the Slytherin. Cassiopeia blinked before smirking.

"An invisibility cloak? Those are rather rare, Harry, you best keep it close by." she instructed, and Harry and Hermione's eyes widened.

"You know what-" they started, but Ron threw his hand around dismissively.

"Of course she does, all wizarding families do!" the Weasley boy groaned, clearly having said this multiple times to his friends.

Cassiopeia decided to change the topic to what was intriguing her most. "What is it you're all doing out of bed at this time?"

Their eyes darted amongst one another, until Harry decided to speak up. "You know about the philosophers stone, don't you?"

"I know it exists, yes. Hermione accused me of having something to do with it a while ago." Cassiopeia shrugged, and Hermione flushed red.