Unaware of Danger

Cassiopeia walked briskly through the charming streets of Windermere Court, a small wizarding community hidden from the eyes of Muggles. The quaint houses were adorned with magical wards and concealed from the prying gaze of the non-magical world. As she approached her home, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Her brother, Mar, had achieved something noteworthy, and it was time to acknowledge his success.

The entrance to Windermere Court was marked by an ornate gate, protected by enchantments to keep unwanted visitors away. Cassiopeia skillfully disarmed the wards, allowing her easy access to the cozy house where her brother awaited. The door creaked open, and she found Mar sitting in the living room, still in a state of disbelief.

Cassiopeia's eyes softened as she patted her brother's cheek affectionately. "Well done, Mar," she said with genuine pride. "I'm so proud of you." Mar, overwhelmed by the moment, could only manage a dumbfounded stare. He hadn't expected such heartfelt words from his usually composed sister.

Leaving her brother to bask in his achievement, Cassiopeia decided to pay a visit to Callidora Longbottom. The Longbottoms were an esteemed wizarding family, and Cassiopeia had developed a close friendship with Callidora over the years. As she walked along the cobblestone streets, she couldn't help but whistle a merry tune. The success of her brother's endeavors had lifted her spirits, and the magical atmosphere of Windermere Court added an extra bounce to her step.

Upon reaching Callidora's residence, Cassiopeia knocked on the door with a rhythm matching her cheerful whistle. The door swung open, revealing Callidora with a warm smile.

"Cassiopeia, dear! So good to see you," Callidora greeted, ushering her inside.

Cassiopeia, ever apologetic, explained, "I'm terribly sorry I'm seven minutes late for lunch. There was something I needed to take care of at home."

Callidora waved off the apology, understanding the unpredictable nature of magical matters. "No worries, my dear. Sit, sit. Lunch is ready, and we have much to catch up on."

Over a delightful spread of magical dishes, Cassiopeia shared the news of her brother's accomplishment, recounting the proud moment when she congratulated him. Callidora listened with genuine interest, appreciating the bond that Cassiopeia and Mar shared.

As they finished their meal, Cassiopeia couldn't resist the temptation to indulge in dessert. "Callidora, have you tried the new Honeydukes chocolate truffles? They're absolutely divine."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they discussed the latest offerings from Honeydukes and shared anecdotes from their respective magical endeavors. Cassiopeia cherished these moments of camaraderie, finding solace in the company of a dear friend.

However, duty called, and Cassiopeia excused herself, promising to meet Callidora again soon. As she stepped out into the magical sunlight, she couldn't help but contemplate the broader wizarding world and the challenges it faced.

Deciding to make a detour on her way back to Windermere Court, Cassiopeia found herself in Surrey, where she knew Muggles needed a bit of magical intervention. The Dursley boy, known for his unpleasant demeanor, was the first on her list. With a flick of her wand, she cast the Obliviate charm, erasing any memory of magical occurrences from the young Muggle's mind.

Cassiopeia, though efficient in her magical endeavors, couldn't escape the constraints of time. She arrived at Callidora's a bit later than planned, prompting another round of apologies. Callidora, being the understanding friend she was, chuckled and assured Cassiopeia that all was forgiven.

As the two friends spent the afternoon discussing magical happenings and sharing laughter, Cassiopeia couldn't shake off the feeling of contentment. She had not only secured her brother's success but also contributed to maintaining the delicate balance between the magical and non-magical worlds.

The day drew to a close, and Cassiopeia returned to Windermere Court, where the enchanting glow of the street lamps welcomed her home. The sense of accomplishment lingered as she settled into the coziness of her house, reflecting on the events of the day.

With a contented sigh, Cassiopeia knew that her actions had ripple effects, ensuring the safety of her great-nephew and subtly countering the influence of Albus Dumbledore. As she drifted into a peaceful night's sleep, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the magical tapestry that intertwined her life with those she cared about.

.....

Harry and Draco returned from Grimmauld Place that afternoon, clutching heavy volumes of Dark and advanced magic to show their aunt as proof of their alibi. The boys couldn't really understand anything they read in those books, and their aunt knew it, but it pleased her to see them take an interest in 'special magic,' and the boys found the books most helpful at avoiding punishment.

Neither Marius nor James said anything to the boys about the strange events of the morning, and they went about their routine as though nothing had occurred. They flew their broomsticks in the garden until dinnertime, and then played Exploding Snap in the parlour until quite late, when Marius finally sent Draco home and Harry to bed. Harry never learnt how close he had been to having his secret revealed, and though he was pleased at the additional kindnesses Cassiopeia began to show him, he suspected nothing out of the ordinary.

....

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore sighed in sad frustration. His troubles had begun with the letter from Remus Lupin. None of Dumbledore's other channels had yielded any fruit, and the Headmaster had counted a very great deal on the werewolf to locate the boy.

If Harry had been taken out of the country, Dumbledore thought it highly unlikely that they could ever find him, not without involving the authorities, and Dumbledore thought it best not to instigate a panic by informing the world that the Boy Who Lived had been kidnapped.

Instead, Dumbledore decided to investigate the Hogwarts list to see if Harry Potter's name was still written there. it was the one way he knew of to make certain the boy was still alive. He unfurled the parchment with every expectation of finding consolation, but met only disappointment. Harry's name was gone. The Boy Who Lived had died, that was the only explanation.

Dumbledore returned to his office and composed letters to the Ministry, the Wizengamot and the Daily Prophet, informing them that Harry Potter had died that same day, from a tragic bout of dragon pox. It seemed that his battle with Voldemort had drained the poor boy's magical reserves so greatly that he was unable to fight off a simple infection.

...

When Cassiopeia read the news the next day, she cackled with glee. Marius and Clytemnestra felt a profound sense of relief. Two people, however, were confused and distressed by Dumbledore's lie. One was a certain werewolf in his late twenties, who was furious that Dumbledore would abandon the search for James's son so easily, and kept resolving to renew the search himself, only to be dissuaded each time by a strange compulsion to organise his bookshelves.

The other was the Boy Who Still Lived himself, who felt that this new revelation only confirmed all the horrendous stories he had heard about Dumbledore from his family, and resolved never to trust anything the old man might say.

Meanwhile, in Azkaban prison, a certain godfather overheard the tragic news from a human guard, and spent the next three years howling in bitter sorrow.

.....

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