XXIX

Cassiopeia had dodged everyone to get into Hogsmead, hiding from Eleanor, Draco, and every Slytherin who could possibly reveal to them her location, and was now heading to the pub George had indicated to her. He was outside, looking around, clearly searching for his girlfriend.

Just a few days earlier her boyfriend had questioned if she'd be up to learning Defence Against the Dark Arts from someone who knew what they were doing; not with books, but with real life experience, highlighting that if she really wanted to stay away from the Death Eaters and be able to defend herself, she needed to be there. The girl was hesitant at first, but she trusted George, and after he'd promised her that he'd find a way to help her with her home situation, she couldn't say no to him. That was why she was there.

" Am I late?" she questioned.

" Everyone just got in, come on."

Cassiopeia followed him in silence, closing the door behind herself and holding his hand as he guided her to a small room. Potter, Granger, and Ron only gave the two a look, but many looked behind their back with the widest eyes.

Cassiopeia could recognise various students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw – which was no surprise – but none of Slytherin, but she wasn't very shocked with that.

" I saved you two a seat," Fred announced, pointing at two empty chairs by his side. "Hi, Cas."

" Good afternoon, Fred."

On his other side, Lee Jordan had his eyes and mouth open wide.

" That ' s the girlfriend?" he questioned loudly, and the teen wondered if that was what everyone was thinking. "Dude… Your brother is dating Cassiopeia fucking Malfoy?"

Ron let out a snort.

" You'll get used to it."

Cassiopeia sat down, ignoring his look, and George quickly moved his hand to hold hers on her lap. When she looked at her side again, Jordan was still staring.

" Do you want a picture? It will last longer."

That made him close his mouth.

When Granger started talking, she knew the meeting was a bad idea. The girl was stuttering, muttering, and looked unsure herself of what she was doing, until…

" Because Lord Voldemort is back."

There were mutters and whispers, and someone managed to yelp while other just looked straight at Potter, most of them shooting daggers.

" And where's the proof?" some blond Hufflepuff questioned, aggressively.

" Dumbledore..." Granger started.

"Believes in him," she pointed at Potter. "We deserve to know why he thinks You-Know-Who is back."

Then Potter began to speak. He spoke about what he saw and what he experienced, but things went south from that.

" George, are you sure..."

" Is it true that you can produce a Patronus?" someone asked, and her eyes shot right back to their direction. "A corporeal Patronus."

Cassiopeia listened closer. Apparently, he'd done so. He'd also killed a basilisk and saved the Philosopher's Stone from The Dark Lord's hands. And there was the TriWizard Tournament, of course. She couldn't deny, he was good at whatever that was he was doing.

They all agreed to a meeting a week but things got tense when a list was brought up. What if it was found? Everyone would be severely punished.

" I have some hiding spells," she raised her voice, then raised her chin when she felt the eyes on her. "I can make the list snoop proof."

Granger was surprised with her words, but soon agreed on accepting Cassiopeia's help with the spells on the parchment. When everyone lined up to sign it, there was a weird feeling in the air.

" Full name?" the girl arched an eyebrow to Granger.

" First and last are okay."

Cassiopeia Malfoy.

The last person signed up and the blonde girl pulled out her wand, muttering the same spells she had used on the diaries carefully.

" There you go," she gave the parchment back to Granger. "Absolutely safe."

The younger witch stared at her for a moment, rather unsure of how to react, but nodded not long later.

" Thank you. I'll contact everyone soon."