Chapter 1
Cassandra remembered a blast. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and a feeling of unease washed over her. Everything was… too calm? The ground underneath felt stable, soft moss covering the stone she was laying on. Clean, crisp air around her, as she breathed in. Only thing she could hear was her own breath, and rapidly beating heart.
Complete opposite to the scene just a few seconds ago.
With a little difficulty, she managed to stand up, her whole side aching from the hits she took. Looking around, she noted the complete lack of any battles, fires or stray curses flying around. Above, the massive artifact, successfully filled with magic, was slowly floating and turning in the air. Confused and a little mesmerized, she took a moment to catch her breath.
She succeeded, the cave is still intact, and professor ..
“Professor Fig”
she startled, looking around, trying to spot her mentor. He was close by, protecting her as she concentrated on the magic, he couldn't be blasted far. “Where are you?”
After several minutes of searching, finding only silence and complete stillness except for her, Cassandra gave up on searching and leaned on the rocky wall. No signs of anyone. Where was everyone? Would they really just give up on her? What about all the goblins, trolls, their machinery? Where did it go? Where were the other professors? The drumming above her eye intensified.
It was definitely the same cave. Cassandra recognized it. But… That was not completely true, was it. It didn't seem like there was a battle a few moments ago at all. She had trouble swallowing.
Maybe they already left? Or, even more unlikely, what if the battle hasn't happened yet?
Cassandra´s mind was spinning with theories. If ancient magic can take away emotions and pain, who knows what are the limits?
The Keepers would probably know.
The Keepers! They can help.
A broom immediately summoned to her hand, she quickly started her ascend to the Map chamber. Only by flying she realized how far down she actually fell and traveled. Cassandra pushed down the panic upon seeing the cavern, moss-covered rock, and an occasional drill, rusty and covered in greenery. They looked old.
At the top, she marked another difference. Instead of stairs stood a thick brick wall. Dismounting, she approached. It was as if someone really wanted to block this door.
A swirl of ancient magic reacted to her proximity, reaching out to her. Relieved, she reached back and touched it, the wall immediately pulling her through to the other side. Soon enough, she stood in the Map Chamber. The staircase quickly turned into a floor, revealing the map once again. With every step, it illuminated more, and soon enough it looked as she remembered.
Don´t think it Don´t think it Dont´t think it Dont´t think it
The paintings of the Keepers loomed over her, grand and empty. No matter how much she yelled, or threw jinxes at them, she got no reaction. They were hesitant and slow to help before, and apparently that would never change. Frustrated, Cassandra cast Tempus. It was just a little over 6 in the morning. What could she do?
If the professors blocked the entrance, they were hardly waiting worried for her, right? Probably going on about their days, perhaps a little sad, or not. Not even a note, to meet in the classroom, Great Hall, or explaining why they locked her inside.
What about her friends?
I should let Ominis know I am alright.
He can tell her what is going on. He is as much an insomniac as she is.
Alright, that could be the first step. With her mind finally set, she went. The castle was still silent in the early morning, first rays of light passing through the windows. In her opinion, Hogwarts was at her most beautiful at dawn. Even walking through the familiar corridors didn't help as much as she hoped. It still felt as if a troll was sitting on her chest, almost impossible to take a full breath.
She wouldn't dare to actually wake him up in his room, so she sat in his favorite armchair by the window, impatiently waiting for him to wake up. The password to the Common room was different, but a quick Open in parseltongue that Ominis taught her did the trick.
Actually, looking around some, when did they have time to redecorate? The couches were new, even if very similar. A new painting of some lord sleeping on his frame on the wall by stairs. Her fingers felt cold and stiff.
She jumped to her feet, and started pacing nervously. The building pressure in her head increased, and she rubbed her temples.
Why why why doesn't anything look like it should? Please please please
"How did you get in our Common room? Who are you?" a voice startled her from her spiral, and she quickly opened her eyes, not even realizing they were closed for a moment. Green eyes meeting grey, on a frowning face, surrounded by short wavy black hair.
"I am Cassandra Drake, a fifth year, this is my common room. Who are you?", honestly, it was only a year since she started, but most people recognized her at least, especially in her own house.
"Regulus Black, also a fifth year. As well as a prefect, so I know everyone in this House. Now try again." if possible, the boy frowned further and his hand tightened on the wand.
"Black, like our headmaster? Nevermind, look, I am in no mood for interrogations right now. Can you get Ominis? Or Sebastian? I need to speak with them. If you are so worried about me, go ask professor Sharpe." she huffed, exasperation lacing her every word as she turned away, hoping to be done with the conversation. Cassandra sagged into the armchair again.
The strange student joined her, sitting in the chair opposite. He leveled her with a calculating gaze. "Yes, like the headmaster. He was my great-great-grandfather. Curious, that he is the one you thought of first."
Great-great-grandfather
"I do not know any Sebastian or Ominis, and I am most definitely not familiar with any professor Sharp."
Cassandra stilled.
"So, what happened to headmaster Black..?"
"He died, caught a pox. Back in 1925."
1925
"Wh-" she swallowed and tried again, "what is today´s date?"
"20th of June," said the boy, closely watching for her reaction,"1977."
His widened eyes as he hurried to catch her was the last thing she saw before once again loosing consciousness.