Memories of Them

Cassie had never been to the Headteachers office and had no idea where she was going, she was just following Madame Maxime through the corridor like a lost puppy. Once they got to the third floor Cassie was completely confused, they turned down a corridor that Cassie had always assumed was deserted and stood in front of a small light blue door. Madame Maxime pulled out her wand with a flourish and muttered something under her breath whilst completing a complicated hand motion, with a click the small door swung open. Beyond the door was a short corridor, on either side the walls were lined with beautiful stained glass windows depicting beautiful scenes of nature throughout the seasons. Cassie could have stood in that corridor marvelling at the stained glass for hours. The door at the other end of the corridor swung open as soon as Madame Maxime approached it, ahead was a beautifully ornate spiral staircase. Following the headmistress up  the staircase Cassie entered one of the most charming rooms she had ever seen. The room was circular with most of the walls being taken up by large windows, giving a panoramic view of the entire grounds. In the centre of the room stood a light wood desk, with an imposing green high backed leather chair behind it. 

Madame Maxime walked straight to her desk and sat down, gesturing for Cassie to sit in the brown leather chair opposite. 

“I’m sorry to be rude, Professor, but what am I doing here?” questioned Cassie nervously, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress.

“How do you feel about our delegation choices?” Madame Maxime shot back, not answering Cassie’s question. 

“I am sure that a lot of thought went into all of your choices. I know that you choose the people that you believed would represent the school the best,” Cassie responded, trying to keep her voice level.

“A very diplomatic answer Miss Vaughn,” Madame Maxime chuckled, a twinkle in her eye. 

“But alas I will stop dancing around the real reason you are here. I want you to join the Beauxbatons delegation. I know you put your name down on the list,” Madame Maxime said, Cassie felt her eyes go wide. 

“But you didn’t read out my name, Professor,” Cassie stated, a look of disbelief. 

“Well that is why you are here Miss Vaughn. I have been in contact with your father since the beginning of the year. He sent me an owl in the summer to explain what occurred at the World Cup,” the look of sympathy on the Headmistress' face was beginning to wind Cassie up. 

“I feel as though I am spending my days telling people I am fine, professor, really. I’m up to date with all of my classes, I’ve completed all of my homework on time and achieved some of my best test results ever!” Cassie interrupted. 

She had thought that coming back to school would provide some sense of normality, allowing her to move on from the events of the World Cup and forget about that night. However it appeared that her friends and the faculty had very different ideas, it was as though everyone was walking on eggshells around her. People were constantly checking up on her, offering her unsolicited advice or a listening ear and she was beginning to get sick of it. She hated the sympathetic glances that were thrown her way and the whispered conversations her friends had behind her back. The nightmares and constant pain from her unhealed shoulder wound were enough of a reminder, she didn’t need other people’s anxieties feeding her own.

“I have been keeping a close eye on you, Miss Vaughn. I agree that you have settled into your 5th year incredibly well. All of your professors are delighted with the work you are producing and test results you have achieved thus far. Academically I cannot fault you. However your father is not only worried about your mental and physical health, he is worried about your continued safety whilst you are away at school,” Madame Maxime continued. 

“I don’t know why he would fear for my safety,” Cassie again interrupted. She wasn’t sure how much Madame Maxime knew and she wasn’t about to break her promise to Kingsley. He had told her not to discuss the woman in black with anyone. 

“Miss Vaughn, please stop interrupting me!” Madame Maxime said, voice raised slightly.

Cassie cringed, “Sorry professor.”

“Mr Shacklebolt told me everything in the strictest of confidence, Miss Vaughn. I know that you were caught up and injured in the attack, I know about the robed figure that seemed to recognise you and I know about your care after the fact. I know everything.” she reiterated. 

“Therefore I’m sure that you can understand our hesitation regarding your involvement in the Triwizard tournament. However, after much deliberation and some conversations with my colleagues at Hogwarts we have agreed to up the safety measures and increase protective spells around the castle. But Miss Vaughn we also need to be able to trust you. My expectations for your conduct are incredibly high, I expect you to be a model student if we allow you to go. This includes, but is not limited to, adhering to all curfews, perfect punctuality to all classes, weekly check ins with myself regarding how you are doing, continued studious behaviour and finally you will go to the hospital wing at least twice a week to get that shoulder wound checked and rebandaged. Don’t look at me like that Miss Vaughn we both know you have not been adequately taking care of it.” Madame Maxime said with a raised eyebrow. 

Cassie hated admitting that she was right, but she couldn’t remember the last time she had sat and properly cleaned the wound with antiseptic. She was too worried about her friends seeing the wound that she had taken to getting dressed for the day before they woke up and undressed for the day after they had gone to bed. It was still as ugly and inflamed as ever, and Cassie couldn’t bear to look at it. 

“Yes Professor,” Cassie mumbelled embarrassedly. 

“My final request is that you sleep within the castle walls, rather than in the carriage with the rest of your peers. That is the only way we can make sure that you are protected around the clock,” Madame Maxime finished, there was a note of hard finality in her voice that made it seem as though arguing would be futile. 

“But Professor, I don’t know anyone at Hogwarts! I’ll be all alone!” Cassie tried to argue.

“All of your friends are going to Hogwarts Cassandra, you would see them throughout the day which is a lot better than if you weren’t to go at all. As I understood it, you knew some members of the Weasley family that attend Hogwarts?” questioned Madame Maxime, Cassie was mortified. 

“I have already sent an owl requesting that you stay in their common room. Luckily for you Professor McGonagall replied stating they had a spare dorm and would therefore be able to house you, Miss Cartwright, Miss Mason and Miss Carlisle.” Madame Maxime continued a small smirk playing on her lips. 

Cassie felt as though she was going to have a heart attack if her heart continued to pound so fast in her chest. 

“Thank Merlin!” was all she managed to mutter out. Madame Maxime let out an uncharacteristic snort at the young girl's reply. 

“I take it you are more than happy to accept all of my terms Miss Vaughn?” She questioned a humorous glint in her eye.

“Yes!” replied Cassie, her voice coming out loud and excited.”Please,” she added as an afterthought.

“Perfect, I shall add your name to the official list.” Madame Maxime responded. 

“I did forget to mention that I expect you to continue to represent our school as the 5th Year Head of Year, even whilst we are away. Our Head boy and girl will remain here and will have more responsibilities in my  absence. That does however mean that I expect you to step up. The male Head of 6th Year, Horatio Goodwin, has also been chosen to be a part of the delegation, you will be working in collaboration with him,” she stated matter of factly.

Cassie had no idea who Horatio Goodwin was, but she just nodded along. Happy to be a part of the delegation and spend the year at Hogwarts with her best friends. 

“Now, I think we’re all finished here, Miss Vaughn. You must be bursting to tell everyone the good news,” Madame Maxime said. 

Cassie just nodded her head enthusiastically, smiling from ear to ear. Standing up she began skipping towards the staircase. 

“Actually before you go Cassandra, can I give you a word of unsolicited advice?” she asked, staring so intently at Cassie that it made her slightly uncomfortable.

“Only if I can ask you a question in return, Professor,” responded Cassie, daringly.

Madame Maxime chuckled, “Deal,” she said smiling. 

“I could tell by the look on your face earlier that you were becoming frustrated by the way people are looking out for you,” she said.

“They’re treating me like I’m a small child that needs protecting, I’m not fragile!” Cassie argued. 

“I don’t think that anyone could argue that you are in any way fragile or weak Miss Vaughn. You have proven time and time again that you are one of the smartest witches I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. But I would advise you to reframe the way you are thinking of this situation. They aren't worried about you because you are weak, Miss Vaughn. They are worried about you because they love you and can’t bear the thought of losing you. You are as hot headed as Maya was when she was here. You are a brilliant witch that will stand up for who and what you believe in, this is not a fault, Cassandra. Quite the opposite in fact. But it can mean that you can get yourself into trouble by following your heart. Your loyalty and strength could be your greatest downfall if it's not tamed. Think on that,” she said, a far off look in her eye. 

Cassie couldn’t shake the feeling that Madame Maxime had looked directly into her soul and laid out in front of her, her own thoughts and fears. 

“Thank you Madame, you have certainly given me food for thought,” Cassie responded. 

“You had something to ask me, I believe?” Madame Maxime asked, her head cocked slightly to the side. 

“It’s about the woman at the World Cup. I’m not sure how you could possibly have any information but do you know her?” questioned Cassie. “You see, Kingsley seems to think that she was an old resistance fighter from the war, who turned and ended up supporting You Know Who. But I don’t understand how she could possibly know or recognise me!” Cassie continued, voicing all of her thoughts and concerns that she had been mulling over for a month. 

“I don’t know how much Kingsley told you about the resistance. We fought under the guidance of Albus Dumbledore, the current headteacher of Hogwarts School of  Witchcraft and Wizardry.” started Madame Maxime.

“Wait, I’m sorry, you said we. You were part of the resistance? You knew Kingsley before I was a student here?” questioned Cassie, so many questions began buzzing around her head. 

“Yes Cassandra, the world didn’t start when you were born dear,” laughed the headmistress. 

“I fought in the resistance alongside Kingsley, Maya and your biological father Caleb. What Kingsley told you is true. Many of our fighters disappeared one day only to reappear on the battlefield fighting for the other side. It was a difficult time, no one knew who could be trusted. It is certainly possible that one of our turncoats would recognise you as Caleb’s daughter. You were always at headquarters as a child, Caleb struggled to find childcare and with your mother not around, we all became babysitters at one point. I’ve been looking out for you your whole life Cassandra,” said the headmistress, heartache was evident in her tone.

“So do you know who it was at the World Cup?” pressed Cassie, desperate for answers. 

“I’m sorry Cassandra, of all of the people who betrayed us, only one is still alive and they are securely locked up in Azkaban, paying for their crimes.” 

“Who?” asked Cassie, her voice coming out no louder than a whisper. 

“A woman by the name of Kiera Lighthand. She was implicated in the murders of the McKinnons, Prewetts and the torture of the Longbottom’s. She was a friend of your mothers once upon a time, and went to this very school, graduating alongside her. But there is no way it could have been her Cassandra, that much I am sure of,” replied Madame Maxime in a tone that implied she was trying to comfort herself as much as she was trying to comfort Cassie. 

Cassie was positive that she had never heard the name Kiera Lighthand, it was not a name that either Maya or Kingsley had ever spoken. But it could lead to more answers, at least she now had a name.

“Thank you for your honesty Professor,” Cassie said quietly.

“Don’t let this consume you Cassandra, the Ministry will do their jobs and the perpetrators will be caught. You need to focus on your recovery and having all of the experiences a teenage girl your age should have. Okay?” asked the Headmistress. 

“Yes, Professor, thank you, really, for everything,” Cassie replied, smiling slightly. 

“I’ll see you this evening at dinner,” Madame Maxime responded, her attention going to a pile of parchment sitting on her desk. 

Rushing down the staircase and through the stained glass corridor, Cassie stopped outside of Madame Maxime's office. Leaning against the wall she closed her eyes, trying to subdue the pounding headache that had begun to brew. Taking some deep breaths Cassie pushed off the wall and began tracing her steps through the corridors, down the stairs and to the entrance hall, thankfully it was quiet and she was able to slip out of the French doors and disappear into the grounds. She didn’t particularly know where she was heading, not thinking about a particular destination, she just let her feet take her. Before she knew it she was sitting on her favourite rock, looking out to sea thinking about all she had learnt. Pulling out a blank piece of parchment Cassie began to furiously scribble everything down, Albus Dumbledore- leader, Kiera Lighthand- betrayer, Maya, Kingsley, Caleb and Madame Maxime- resistance fighters. She then sat staring at the piece of parchment, trying to find any links between the names, finding nothing. She folded the parchment up and shoved it in her bag, reminding herself to research the names in the library next time she went. The light was fading now and the lack of sunlight had caused a significant drop in temperature, trying to conserve some body heat she wrapped her arms tightly around herself. Looking up she noticed bright silvery stars were beginning to twinkle in the early evening sky. 

The shuffle of footsteps to the left of her caught her attention. Out of the shadows a small group of students were quietly walking towards her, laden down with blankets and bags. It wasn’t until they got closer that she recognised the curly waist length hair of Libby and the grumbling of Hugo. 

“We thought we’d find you out here, you’ve missed dinner,” said Bonnie handing her a small tupperware box filled with different breads and cheeses. 

“Do you mind if we sit?” asked Libby.

Cassie just shook her head, gesturing to the rock beside her and the sand at her feet. Slowly the group of friends made themselves comfortable, Fabian came over with a particularly fluffy blanket and wrapped it tightly around Cassie. The instant warmth enveloped her, relaxing her muscles and calming her down.

“We went to Madame Devereux and asked her to take our names off the delegation list, we don’t want to go if you can’t go. But she said the decision was final,” Odette said quietly, obviously trying to break the tension within the group and get the hard conversation out of the way first. 

“Why would you do that?” questioned Cassie, surprised.

“Because you’re our best friend dummy,” replied Hugo. Odette gave him a swift smack to the back of the head making the whole group laugh. 

“You really think calling her names right now is going to help the situation?” squawked Odette. 

Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. The whole group turned towards her, looking surprised and slightly worried by her reaction. 

“I’m assuming Madame Maxime didn’t catch you at dinner?” questioned Cassie, looking at all of her friends.

“We literally ran in, grabbed some food to go and then left, I don’t think she even saw us! Why?” asked Fabian, concern evident in his eyes and tone.

“Why did she pull you out Cass? You weren’t even that late to the assembly and if that is the reason then Fabian needs to be in detention too,” Fabian let out a loud scoff, “I’m sorry Fabian but that’s only fair!” Libby continued in a defensive voice. 

“I was only late because Cassie has got the time management skills of a drunk goblin!” he defended, pointing an accusatory finger in Cassie’s direction, the concern from moments ago entirely replaced with a humorous tone. 

Cassie scoffed, “At least I get my homework done on time, instead of flirting with our 200 year old herbology teacher every time!” responded Cassie, a smirk on her face.

“It is not my fault that Professor Blanchet is obsessed with my luscious locks! Don’t be jealous Cass, it doesn’t suit you,” he retorted a full blown grin on his face. 

“Children! Enough!” Bonnie practically screamed from beside Cassie. “Cassandra Ivy Juliette Vaughn, tell us what is happening right now before I completely lose my mind,” she demanded. 

“As if you haven’t already lost your mind!” responded Cassie, sassily. However the look on Bonnie’s face soon made her apologise. 

“Cassie. Now.” grumbled Libby, clearly siding with Bonnie.

“If I’m being honest I hardly know where to begin,” started Cassie. 

“How about you start with not being chosen for the delegation, which is absolute pixie dung if you ask me. You’re the most scarily intelligent person I’ve ever met, you seem to know everything. You’re the top of the class, the most popular girl in our entire year and you’re our bloody Head of Year. It’s not fair!” burst out Hugo, the others nodding their heads in agreement.

“Thank you for that dramatic rendition Hugo,” laughed Cassie, jokily messing up his hair.  

“But actually I have been chosen to be a member of the delegation,” she whispered, suddenly worried by their reaction. They had all seemed so riled up. 

“WHAT?!” Libby was the first to shout.

“Your name was definitely not read out in the assembly Cass,” Fabian reasoned. 

“Are you sure Cassie?” questioned Bonnie, turning her head to face her. 

“Positive,” replied Cassie. 

“I don’t understand, she changed her mind?” asked Odette.

“Not really, she just left my name off the list that she read out. She needed to have a conversation with me before she would let me accept my place,” Cassie said. She knew she was being vague but she didn’t know how to explain what was going on without giving too much away. She wanted nothing more than to explain everything, she wanted her friends to comfort her and help her figure out what was going on. But her promise to Kingsley stayed in the back of her mind.  

“What did she need to talk to you about?” pressed Fabian, of course he wasn’t going to let this go.

“She’d been speaking to Kingsley that’s all, you know how protective he is especially after summer,” Cassie tried to lie. 

“Enough Cassie,” Fabian roared, his voice raised, “you’re hiding something from us, we all know it. Something is going on with you! You’re distant, you’re not sleeping, you’re constantly anxious about something. I understand that what you went through must have been terrifying but you need to let us in. We’re your best friends, we can help you!” 

“You can’t,” mumbled Cassie, slightly taken aback by Fabian’s sudden outburst. Just minutes ago they had been laughing and joking and now he was shouting at her. Big tears began to roll down her cheeks as she chewed her bottom lip, trying to keep some semblance of composure. Bonnie gently put her arms around Cassie’s shoulders feeling the girl stiffen under her touch, she shot her a questioning look. Cassie just appeared to ignore her and continued to keep her eyes trained on the lapping waves in front of her. 

“Why not?” Bonnie asked, squeezing her shoulder in reassurance. 

“I swore I wouldn’t talk about it, I promised Kingsley,” Cassie choked out, “I’ve been dying to tell you, but I don’t even know where to begin. And I’m scared,” she managed to whisper, sobs began tumbling from her lips .

With that Fabian stood up and grabbed her, gently placing her on his lap whilst rubbing her back soothingly. His anger which had derived from pure worry for his best friend had completely dissipated. He wasn’t sure that he had ever seen Cassie sob and he wasn’t entirely sure what to do to comfort her. Looking around at his group of friends it was clear that they were all at a loss too. 

It took a couple of minutes for Cassie’s sobs to subside into quiet hiccups. Fabian had continued to cradle her, gently rubbing her back and whispering soothing words into her ear. But her little pity party seemed to have cleared her head. The comfort of her best friends and their loyalty to her had proven that she could trust them. She was positive that if Kingsley knew how she was feeling he would want her to talk to someone about it, he wouldn’t want her to suffer in silence. Fabian’s words had also resonated with her, she had been distant with them. She had been so caught up in keeping her secret that it had seemed easier to not socialise at all, she’d locked herself away in the library using the excuse she needed to complete homework or revision instead.  

“I’m sorry, I’ve spent the whole day arguing that I’m not weak and fragile and here I am, a snivelling mess!” she joked, finally feeling good enough to talk. 

“Don’t be an idiot Cassie, you're one of the strongest people I know,” Hugo said, gently placing a hand on her leg.

“Fragile and weak are definitely not words I would use to describe you,” Libby agreed. 

“I thought I’d come to school and forget about everything. I could come back here and act as though everything was the same. But this secret has been weighing me down, it's all I can think about. I just want answers,” Cassie said cryptically.

“Everyone here loves you Cass. It seems like whatever this secret is it’s pretty important, especially if adults are concerned for your safety. So we understand if you can’t tell us everything, but please don’t shut us out. You can trust everyone here, whatever you say here will stay between the six of us. No one is going to betray you, especially if it puts you in danger. We’re all with you Cass,”  Fabian said, squeezing her slightly to emphasise the point. Everyone around the pair nodded their heads, giving Cassie a comforting smile. 

And so under the ink black sky, with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore blocking out their voices from any unwanted listeners, Cassie told them everything, from beginning to end. Once she had finished talking the entire group sat there, staring at her pale faced, eyes wide. 

“Holy Merlin,” was all Hugo managed to whisper. 

“Cass, you’ve been keeping all of that in since the World Cup?” asked Odette. Cassie just simply shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. 

“No wonder you’ve been acting so weird, with that and your injuries to contend with, I’m not sure how you’re still standing,” she said, smiling comfortingly. 

Cassie couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, sniffling slightly. 

“So what do we know?” questioned Fabian, he already had a thoughtful look on his face. 

A small smile overcame Cassie’s face, of course Fabian would jump right into the problem, trying to figure out solutions. A weight had already been lifted off of Cassie’s shoulders. The relief of telling her friends instantly made her feel less alone, they would work it out together. 

“In short, Maya, Kingsley, Madame Maxime and my biological father Caleb fought alongside each other in the first wizarding war under the command of Albus Dumbledore. At some point different members of the resistance all betrayed them and turned to fight with the death eaters. Kiera Lighthand was one of these resistance fighters, but Madame Maxime is convinced it couldn’t be her because she’s locked up in Azkaban having her face chewed off by dementors.” Cassie quickly summarised.

“So we look into this Kiera Lighthand first, if we can find out more about her story maybe that’ll lead us to something else. They’ve got loads of archived newspapers in the storage room of the library, we’ll look there first,” Fabian said in a commanding tone.

Cassie nodded along, that had been her original plan but it made her smile thinking that she would have some help.

“But no talking about this unless we are definitely alone. No whispers in the corridor or over breakfast. If the adults are scared enough for Cassie’s safety that she has been sworn to secrecy there is obviously a substantial threat.” Bonnie said, making eye contact with everyone.

“And no writing anything down in letters or random pieces of parchment for just anyone to read. I’ve got a bewitched notebook upstairs that can only be opened and read by those who have written in it, we’ll use that to collect all of our research for now.” Fabian said. 

“We’ll figure this out Cassie,” Odette said.

“And we will keep you safe,” Fabian added.