In the Great Hall, as the students settled at their tables, a choir began to perform. It was a peculiar choir, composed of students from all houses, with Professor Flitwick conducting the melody masterfully. The harmonious voices echoed through the hall, filling it with a special charm.
The atmosphere was magical, with numerous candles floating in the air, illuminating the faces of the students and creating a dazzling scene. The soft light of the flames danced over the tables, creating a warm and festive ambiance.
As Minerva made her way to her place at the staff table, Harry, Cassi, and Hermione headed to their respective tables, trying to sit as quietly as possible. Cassiopeia sat at the Slytherin table, feeling at home, while observing the hustle and bustle around her.
Pansy nudged Cassi, piquing her curiosity. She looked at her, questioning the reason for the insistent touch.
"What's up?" Cassiopeia asked, intrigued by Pansy's curious expression.
"Where were you?" Pansy inquired, eager to know more details. She gave Cassi a peck on the cheek as a greeting.
"I was with my godmother," She replied simply, without going into too many details.
Pansy seemed to want more information, but her curiosity was interrupted when Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement, capturing everyone's attention in the hall.
Professor Dumbledore, though very old, always gave an impression of great energy. He had several feet of silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and a very crooked nose.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words... before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, professor."
A round of applause followed, and a slightly disheveled man in patched robes stood up and bowed in gratitude.
Cassi smiled widely. She had heard of Remus Lupin before. In one of the photographs in the album she received from Minerva, her uncle's group of friends referred to him as "Moony."
Draco turned petulantly to address Potter.
"Potter, Potter. Is it true you fainted?" Draco asked mockingly.
"I mean, you actually fainted?" Draco questioned.
Cassi raised an eyebrow at that. She didn't forget Draco almost wetting himself when he saw the Dementor.
"As for our second announcement," Dumbledore continued as the applause for Professor Lupin subsided.
"Well, I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, who taught Care of Magical Creatures, retired at the end of last year to better enjoy the remaining limbs he has. However, I am pleased to announce that his position will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching responsibility in addition to his duties as gamekeeper."
Cassi looked at her Gryffindor friends in shock. They followed with applause, which was particularly raucous at the Gryffindor table. Minerva nudged Hagrid and he stood up to receive the applause properly but ended up clumsily knocking over some glasses and plates.
She chuckled and leaned forward to get a better look at the giant with his ruby-red face, eyes fixed on his enormous hands, and a wide smile hidden in the tangle of his dark beard.
The four boys were the last to stop clapping, and as Professor Dumbledore began speaking again, they saw Hagrid wiping his eyes on his sleeve.
"Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic... Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban, until such a time as Sirius Black is captured."
Whispers were heard at every table.
"The Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities... A word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you." Sighs were heard.
"It's not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiven. But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light."
⁀➷,
Common Room
After dinner, Cassi spent some time in the Slytherin common room, gathered with Pansy, Draco, and Blaze. They sat comfortably in armchairs near the fireplace, sharing stories about their holidays.
As Draco spoke animatedly about his adventures during the break, he casually mentioned how his mother, Narcissa, had asked numerous questions about Cassi. He seemed a bit puzzled by his mother's sudden interest in her. Cassiopeia, on the other hand, had a soft smile on her face as she listened. She also found herself thinking of Narcissa at unexpected moments.
⁀➷,
Next Morning
Cassiopeia examined her new timetable, going over the details with curiosity and excitement.
"Oh, finally, we're starting new subjects," Cassi smiled contentedly as she looked at the listed disciplines.
Pansy, on the other hand, frowned as she glanced over her friend's shoulder, analyzing the confusion on the timetable.
"They messed up your schedule, how confusing," Pansy commented, showing her concern.
"Look, ten classes a day. It doesn't make sense," Pansy added, looking exasperated at the sequence of scheduled subjects.
"I can handle it," Cassiopeia confidently replied. "I've already arranged everything with Aunt Minnie."
Pansy looked at her friend as if she had bumped her head.
"Baby, it doesn't make sense. Look here, this morning? Nine o'clock, Divination. And below it, also at nine o'clock, Muggle Studies. And..." Pansy leaned in to examine the timetable more closely, incredulous, "look, below that is Arithmancy, also at nine o'clock. I mean, I know you're brilliant, Cassi, but no one is that good. How are you supposed to attend three classes at the same time?" Pansy chuckled.
"But of course not," Cassi replied, playfully smiling. "It's impossible to be in three classes at the same time."
"Well, then..." Pansy began, but was quickly interrupted by her friend.
"You said baby?" Cassi raised an eyebrow, amused by the nickname.
"Yes, but..." Pansy blushed furiously, realizing she was being diverted from the subject.
"Don't worry, your beautiful little mind, I've got my schedules," Cassi reassured, still smiling.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Great Hall, Hermione was engaged in a similar dialogue, but with much less patience.
Sorting her belongings quickly, Cassiopeia prepared for her Divination class, which would be taught at the top of the North Tower. The climb was long and exhausting, but when Cassi reached the last steps, she reached a tiny landing where most of her classmates had already gathered, waiting for the class to begin.
On the landing of the trapdoor, Cassi noticed the absence of doors, but her eyes turned upward, where she spotted a circular trapdoor with a brass plaque indicating "Sybill Trelawney, Professor of Divination." Curious, she carefully read the professor's name.
While everyone wondered how to ascend to the trapdoor, it unexpectedly opened, revealing a silver staircase that descended to the students' feet. Without hesitation, everyone began to climb.
Upon entering the classroom, Cassiopeia found herself in an unusual environment, unlike anything she had seen before in Hogwarts Castle. In fact, it seemed like a strange combination of an attic, an old tea room, and the dwelling of a hoarder.
Twenty round tables were grouped together in the room, surrounded by upholstered chairs and small overstuffed poufs. The lighting was dim, with a reddish glow emanating from the lampshades covered in dark red shawls, creating a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere. The curtains of the windows were drawn, adding a touch of secrecy to the room.
Shelves around the circular walls were crammed with dusty feathers, candle stubs, decks of tarot cards in strips, countless crystal balls, and an immense collection of teacups, each with its own peculiar design. The space exuded an aura of mystery and magic, arousing the curiosity of Cassi and her classmates.
Cassiopeia found Hermione and, with a nod, they approached each other.
"And where is the professor?" Hermione asked.
A voice suddenly emerged from the shadows, soft and ethereal.
"Welcome, welcome!" Professor Sybill Trelawney emerged from the shadows, and in the light of the fireplace, her slender figure could be seen, her enormous glasses magnifying her eyes several times over.
"How delightful to see you in the physical world at last," the woman said in a mysterious tone.
"Please, be seated, children, be seated," she continued, and everyone awkwardly settled into their chairs or sank into the poufs.
Cassi chose to sit at one of the tables, sharing it with the three Gryffindors.
"Perhaps you have never seen me before, as I find that blending in with the bustling main school tends to cloud my inner sight."
No one made any comments at the extraordinary statement. The professor delicately adjusted her shawl and proceeded.
"So, you have chosen to study Divination, the most difficult of magical arts. I must warn you right from the start that if you do not possess the gift of clairvoyance, I will have very little to teach you. Books can only take you so far in this field..."
Upon hearing this, Harry and Ron glanced at Hermione, smiling, who seemed taken aback by the news that books would not be of much help in this subject.
Cassi chuckled softly and held her friend's hand, who appeared troubled.
"Many witches and wizards, though talented in noise, smells, and instantaneous disappearances, remain nonetheless unable to penetrate the mysteries of the future." Professor Trelawney continued to speak, her enormous shining eyes moving from one nervous face to another.
"It is a gift bestowed upon a few."
The professor continued calmly, "We will cover the basic methods of divination this year. The first term will be dedicated to tea leaf reading, and in the next term, we will delve into palmistry. By the way, my dear," she suddenly addressed Parvati Patil, "Beware of a man with red hair." Parvati cast a frightened glance at Ron, who was seated just behind her, and slowly pulled her chair away from him.
Cassi chuckled at the absurdity, but then something happened: The professor looked deeply into Cassiopeia's eyes and visibly shuddered. Then she turned away as if nothing had happened.
"Now, I want you to form pairs. Pick up a teapot from the shelf and bring it here for me to fill. Then sit down and drink, drink until only the dregs remain. Shake the cup three times with your left hand, then turn it upside down on the saucer, wait until the last drop of tea falls, and pass it to your partner for them to read. You will interpret the patterns formed, comparing them with those on pages five and six of Unfogging the Future. I will walk around the room to assist and teach each pair."
Cassi pulled Hermione closer with a conspiratorial smile, and they used the Time-Turner for the first time. With a swift motion, Cassiopeia turned the Time-Turner completely, feeling a slight dizziness as time seemed to distort around her. When everything stabilized, she found herself in an empty classroom and headed towards the third floor of Hogwarts castle, making their way to classroom 7A.
The Arithmancy classroom was cozy, with walls lined with dark wood paneling and tall windows that let the sunlight gently filter in. The desks were arranged in circles, creating an environment conducive to discussions and interactions. Old books and scrolls were neatly arranged on the shelves around the room.
Cassi was amazed to see that the Time-Turner had worked perfectly. She looked at Hermione and saw the expression of enchantment on her face. The two shared playful giggles.
Without wasting any time, they headed towards two empty chairs side by side. The professor presented complex concepts about the interpretation of numerical patterns and their influence on future events. Cassi was fascinated to discover how numbers could reveal insights about magic and destiny.
The two friends actively participated in group discussions, exchanging ideas and debating the practical application of the concepts they learned. At the end of the class, they turned the Time-Turner again, this time returning to the North Tower for their Divination lesson.
As they arrived, the atmosphere in the classroom was different. Professor Sibila Trelawney was conducting tea leaf readings. Cassi took a few moments to discreetly glance at Hermione. She was concerned about the potential effects of time travel on her friend. Observing closely, Cassi noticed that Hermione seemed calm, just bored with the class, with no apparent signs of discomfort or confusion.
Hermione, on the other hand, was also attentive to Cassi, sharing the same concern. She wanted to make sure her friend was coping well with the repercussions of time travel. Exchanging subtle looks, Hermione noticed the reassuring gaze in Cassi's eyes, which further reassured her.
"Oh, and dear," Sibila held Neville's arm when he made an attempt to stand up.
"After you break the first cup, please choose one with blue patterns. I really like the ones with pink designs," the professor instructed Neville.
Sure enough, Neville had barely reached the cup shelf when the sound of shattering porcelain was heard.
The professor glided over to him, carrying a dustpan and brush, and said, "One of the blue ones then, dear, if you don't mind. Thank you."
After Hermione and Cassi took their cups to be filled, they returned to their table and quickly drank the tea. They shook the leaves as the professor had instructed, then turned the cups upside down and exchanged them with each other.
Cassi and Hermione smiled at each other and decided to use the Time-Turner once again. Looking at the clock to avoid encountering their past selves, they spun the magical device twice and found themselves back in the empty classroom just as their copies had left. They hurried to the Muggle Studies class located on the first floor of the castle.
As they entered the room, Cassi was fascinated by the environment. The room was decorated with various representations of the Muggle world, including paintings of historical landmarks, shelves filled with books about non-magical history, and a spinning globe at the center of the room.
They chose a pair of desks near the projector and settled in.
Cassiopeia, with her prior knowledge of the subject being taught in Muggle Studies, followed the professor's explanations with a special interest. She took the opportunity to review and deepen her knowledge, connecting Muggle historical events with happenings in the magical world. Hermione, on the other hand, being a Muggle-born witch, began to grow bored.
Both of them used the Time-Turner once again and hurried back to the North Tower.
"What a load of rubbish," Hermione said irritably.
"Where did you come from?" Ron asked, confused.
"What are you talking about? We've been here the whole time," Cassi quickly replied, refocusing her attention on the professor.
Hermione smiled discreetly at her.
"You there!" the professor suddenly addressed Neville.
"How is your grandmother?" the professor asked enigmatically.
"I think she's okay," Neville replied, trembling and visibly frightened.
"Let me see your cup," the professor asked mysteriously.
"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, dear," the professor said as she examined the cup. "Pity."
Neville swallowed hard and tried to see something in the cup.
"Open your minds," the professor urged.
Suddenly, the professor approached Ron.
"Your aura is indicating death. Are you beyond? I think you are," the professor said mysteriously.
Ron swallowed hard. "Of course."
"Look into the cup. Tell me what you see," she encouraged.
Ron looked at the cup, trying to decipher it. "Well... Harry has some kind of crooked cross." Ron searched the book for its meaning. "It means trials and suffering. And this might be the sun, which signifies happiness. So, you'll suffer but be happy about it," Ron concluded, a little confused.
"Masochist," Cassi playfully remarked, earning laughter from the whole class.
"Give me the cup," the professor requested but quickly dropped it, seemingly startled.
Hermione sighed irritably and whispered quietly, "What a show."
Cassiopeia was attentive in class, and she didn't find the professor as fake as she seemed.
"Oh, dear boy," Sibilla said with regret, and Harry leaned in, paying attention.
"You have the Grim."
Sighs could be heard throughout the room.
"The Grim? What is the 'Grim'?"
Cassi picked up the book to see the meaning.
"The Grim takes the form of an extremely large dog. It is one of the worst omens in the world, a harbinger of death," Cassi finished the last line with wide eyes.
"Nonsense," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Cassi just laughed.
On that day, in addition to their classes on Arithmancy and Muggle Studies, Cassiopeia and Hermione also had the exciting lesson on Ancient Runes. The subject sparked a special fascination in both of them.
⁀➷,
After that enriching class, Cassi headed to Transfiguration with Minerva. During the lesson, the professor noticed the sullen looks of some students. Them she told that professor Trelawney, the eccentric Divination teacher, would always make a dark prediction in the first class, stating that a student would die.
Curiously, the chosen student never actually died, defying the ominous predictions. This revelation brought laughter from Hermione, who couldn't help but appreciate the irony in the situation.
At sunset, Cassi did as she always did at sunrise and sunset.
Pointing her wand to her heart, she said, "Amato Animo Animato Animagus."