Chapter Text
Cassie considered that she may have actually snapped, falling somewhere between a psychotic episode and an out of body experience. In a room more sterile than her dentist office, bright lights she would kill for when extracting teeth. Projected? Playing? The proper vernacular was lost on her. On the wall across from her were the memories of Harry playing. Fast forward, paused, repeated. This man who called himself an Auror, the head of the department, was in fact a sadist.
With her own eyes she had watched Harry’s wand float from his back pocket to a single floating hand creeping from shimmering nothingness. A presumed invisible enemy wasn’t even a current concern Cassie registered. What shook her to the core was the screams, the sounds of flesh hissing and crackling as it burned, children separated from their families, Harry searching for Hermione, screaming her name, the skull in the sky matching the weak men causing the destruction and chaos. And beyond all the pain, was her daughter's magic spreading and cooling as she combated the fires. The relief on the faces of those terrified around Harry when the water rushed over their bodies and shelters. The faceless man shot the skull to the sky as a creature incapacitated him. Cassie slowlt began feeling her finger tips once again. Cassie looked at her watch and their agreed upon timeframe was well past.
“Well look at that we are out of time. We will be out of your hair.” Cassie stood, preparing to exit the room.
“Doctor Granger, we are just getting started.”
Cassie’s body stiffened “Excuse me?”
“Mr. Potter’s memories confirm his wand was used in multiple crimes including some he witnessed himself. He will not be leaving anytime soon.”
Slamming her fist on the metal table. Scrimgeour flinched ever so slightly. “What I saw was the memories of a victim who had his wand stolen, his best friend tortured by his own wand, and a creature that incapacitated the thief. Have you spoken to the creature?”
“Not that it is any of your consideration but the Master of that elf has since freed her.”
“I find many issues with your sentence. Why would an elf need to be freed? Are they enslaved? Was it not suspicious that a person dismissed the only eye witness? Have you brought that person in for questioning?”
“Crouch is an employee and would never do anything to hurt a case. He was once the head of this department in its darkest times.”
“Inadequate. You and your entire team. I don't know what you think you're seeing in this memory but I watched my daughter provide protection to the entire public. Where were the Aurors? Are you telling me a 16 year old girl is more competent than your entire department?”
Auror Scrimgeour spurted but Cassie had enough. She reached for the wand in the center of the table. It gave her a light tingle. Passing it to Harry “Hold on tight till we can get you a holster.” Harry gripped the holly wand.
Scrimgeour tried to stop them. “You have not been dismissed.” He waved his silly wand at the door. Cassie felt her anger filling her chest, imagining the door exploding outward. Before her fingers could even grip the door knob the door flew open, crashing against the wall.
“I’ll have you detained!” He bellowed from inside the room.
“Your hour is up! You have his memory, feel free to watch it a million times. See if I care. We are done here. Good day!” Cassie screeched through the open office. As she watched every wizard and witch silently watching, she looked down at Harry beaming as he was reunited with his wand. Good. Scanning the room the rest of the group looked unharmed and most certainly not detained. Locking eyes with Kingsley, she ignored the flutter in her chest as she placed a hand on his arm. “Kings thank you again for your assistance in coordinating whatever this was. The offer still stands for a teeth cleaning. The muggle way.” Winking at the handsome Auror. “You know how to reach Richard and I. Would you walk our group to the floo?”
“It would be my honor.” Offering his arm, she easily looped her arm through. Relief coursed through her spine as she could see their exit.
“Mrs. Granger your group should be using the public floos” Scrimgeour ran slightly out of breath to berate her.
“Lucky for us that is not the agreement we made. As you know we will be using your personal floo. I would think you would be so gracious…… especially after your department's role in the defamation of my daughter's character. Did you even read the scathing article? Do you often give your opinion as facts about young women? Curious. I wonder how much actual truth comes out of this office. Hmm.” Cassie scanned the room making eye contact with the aurors around the room, many looking guilty.
“Come on kids, we are through here.”
As the door began to shut Cassie could hear a rogue comment.“I see where she gets it from.” The wizarding world would now have to deal with two Granger women whether they liked it or not. Cassie Granger…. No…… Cassiopeia Black had joined the fight.
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The bank was a cake walk in comparison to the wizarding police. Goblins liked rules. Cassie lived by them. Did she have to threaten the goblin? Absolutely.
Planting both hands on the polished black counter, she spoke in the calm, measured tone that usually preceded someone’s career ending. “Either you provide the Last Will and Testament of Lily and James Potter.” She said, “Or I begin petitioning the Ministry for immediate review of the Potter estate.”
The goblin’s long fingers twitched once atop his parchment. Cassie continued before he could interrupt. “If Gringotts has knowingly withheld a legally binding will from its rightful beneficiary for thirteen years, I will personally ensure every goblin involved is named as complicit in obstructing the execution of the Potter’s final wishes regarding their son.”
Silence. Sharp. Heavy. Dangerous. The goblin stared at her with the expression of someone recalculating an investment that had suddenly become catastrophic.
“And” Cassie added pleasantly. “I imagine the Daily Prophet would find the phrase ‘Gringotts suppresses orphaned heir’s inheritance’ very interesting.”
That did it. The goblin vanished so quickly his chair rolled backwards into a shelf.
Harry blinked. “That was horrifying.”
Cassie adjusted her simple muggle dress. “No. Horrifying would have been filling the paperwork. This was a mercy.”
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Harry collected his belongings that Richard had conveniently brought upstairs. Arthur, Tanka, Sirius, Remus, and Cassie sat around the magically expanded kitchen table. Arthur and Tanka spoke in hushed voices briefing the others on their son's interrogations.
Cassie didn’t care.
Richard happily hummed while arranging a cheese plate beside the afternoon tea service. The domestic normalcy of it scraped against her nerves like sandpaper. Wedge of brie placed in the left corner of the platter, joined with crackers. Apple slices! The man was making a picnic in the midst of the greatest scandal the Wizarding World would ever see. Cassie knew this was the “Boy Who Lived” or “The Chosen One” for god sake.
Cassie’s eyes continued to scan the document. Lily and Jame’s final wishes laid bare in elegant black ink forged in blood and magic.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF
JAMES CHARLUS POTTER AND LILY MARIE POTTER
We, James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Potter, being of sound mind and magical intent, do hereby declare this document to be our final and binding Last Will and Testament, superseding all prior declarations, enchantments, agreements, or magical contracts concerning our estate, properties, vaults, wards, assets, and the guardianship of our son, Harry James Potter.
- EXECUTOR OF ESTATE
We hereby appoint Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as Executor of our Estate and Protector of the execution of these wishes.
The Executor shall hold no claim, ownership, inheritance, or beneficiary rights to any Potter or Evans assets, properties, titles, vaults, heirlooms, trusts, accounts, or investments unless specifically gifted elsewhere in writing.
The Executor’s duty is solely administrative and protective in nature and shall not extend to guardianship unless all parties named herein are deceased, magically incapacitated, or unwilling to serve.
- HEIR TO THE POTTER AND EVANS ESTATES
All assets, properties, vaults, inheritances, heirlooms, investments, trusts, political seats, family magic, and all worldly possessions belonging to James Potter and Lily Potter shall pass in full to our son, Harry James Potter.
No trustee, guardian, executor, Ministry official, Headmaster, or acting representative may claim ownership of said assets.
Until Harry James Potter reaches his majority under Wizarding Law, all holdings shall remain protected in trust solely for his benefit.
III. GUARDIANSHIP OF HARRY JAMES POTTER
It is the express and unwavering will of both James Potter and Lily Potter that under absolutely no circumstance shall custody, guardianship, wardship, fosterage, or residential authority over Harry James Potter be granted to Petunia Dursley or Vernon Dursley.
No blood claim, Ministry decree, magical custom, familial relation, or protective enchantment shall supersede this directive.
Should both parents perish before Harry James Potter reaches his majority, guardianship shall pass in the following order:
- Sirius Orion Black
- Remus John Lupin
- Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom jointly
- Ted Tonks and Andromeda Tonks jointly
- Mary Macdonald
- Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley jointly
- Minerva McGonagall
- Alastor Moody
- Severus Snape
In the event Severus Snape assumes guardianship, such custody shall only be considered lawful and binding upon the completion of a magically witnessed Blood Oath affirming the following:
— That Severus Snape shall protect Harry James Potter from harm.
— That he shall never knowingly abuse, manipulate, abandon, or betray the child.
— That he shall never deliver Harry Potter to Voldemort or his followers.
— That he shall place Harry Potter’s life above all political, personal, or ideological loyalties.
Violation of this oath shall invoke the full consequences of ancient magical covenant law.
- EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING
We desire that Harry James Potter be raised knowing he was loved beyond measure by his parents and by those who stood beside us.
He is to be educated in both the magical and non-magical worlds sufficiently to make informed choices regarding his own future.
- FINAL DECLARATION
This document has been sealed by wand, blood, and intent under the recognized traditions of Wizarding Britain.
Signed,
James Charlus Potter Lily Marie Potter
Witnessed and Bound By Magic Before:
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Bathilda Bagshot
Under no circumstance shall custody, guardianship, wardship, fosterage or residential authority over Harry James Potter be granted to Petunia or Vernon Dursley
Body reacting before her mind could process. Fury flooded her veins. Magic surged beneath her skin, swelling in violent waves. Pressure built around her like an invisible balloon filling far beyond capacity. Too much. Too Fast. A sharp piercing screech ripped from her throat as the pressure burst.
The kitchen exploded. Cabinet doors slammed open with thunderous cracks. Dishes, glassware, and teacups launched from the shelves, smashing against walls, floor, and ceiling in showers of porcelain and glass. The stove burners erupted into violent meter tall pillars of flames. The fridge door flew open before the entire appliance toppled sideways, spilling milk, eggs, and beautiful steaks across the floor. The kitchen faucet tore clean off the sink, water geysered upward.
Everyone froze. Richard chuckled, lifting the cheese tray in his right hand out of range of the impeding flooding water. Remus ducked as a plate shattered against the wall behind him.
Arthur stared at the towering flames. “That can’t be good can it?” He asked no one in particular.
Tanka snorted. Without looking away from the destruction, she lifted one hand towards Sirius. “You owe me vone Galleon.”
Sirius wand half drawn out of instinct. Suddenly the seriousness drained from his face. Letting out a bark. He reached into his pocket, placing the coin in her palm.
“IS THAT THE KITCHEN!?” Harry yelled from upstairs.
“NO!” The adult yelled back in unison. Those with wands quickly casted charms around the room as the destruction stitched itself back together.
“I think that’s our cue. Owl when we meet next.” Arthur popped up to cut Harry off as the last plate placed itself back on the shelf. Tanka casted a silencing spell around the group just in case.
Harry had been kidnapped…….. Harry James Potter in no uncertain terms had been kidnapped. Cassie, if necessary, would kidnap Harry herself to keep him safe. Did that make her any worse?
“Kidnapped!” Remus growled as he moved to peer at the document on the table.
Cassie thought she had been speaking to herself.
“I was next? Harry was supposed to go with…” he gulped. “Me?”
Just then the front door of the Granger residence clicked open. Everyone straightened, schooling their expression. The kids were back and too soon. Sirius was able to distract them, soon returning with Remus.
“For the sake of your home, I say we each take a copy to avoid any more-” Sirius’ eyes flutter across the kitchen “Accidental magic. Take some time to digest before we discuss it.” Sirius decided for the group.
Cassie felt numb. A hand laid above her own. Looking up expecting Richard she was met with the other mother in the room. “Powerful vitch.”
“Huh?”
“You. Powerful vitch, magic haf block. Ve vill fix.” Tanka patted her hand. Moving to collect her copy of the will. She winked at Cassie as she raised her voice backing out of the kitchen.
“Cassie, tell me vhen you are free next week. Ve will cook too much food, you vill say you cannot eat another bite, and den you will eat anyway. Dis iz tradition! Da, bring de wolf and dog, ve haf much more to discuss.”
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Sirius was dreaming of running with Moody in both their truest forms. Playing, tackling, chasing each other's tails. Curling up into the werewolves thick fur as they caught a few zzz. At precisely 5:22am Sirius violently awakened from the most blissful rest. Warmth and vibrations radiating from his neck. “Bloody Hell.”
“What is it?” Remus gasped as he cast a dim lumos on the room searching for an intruder.
Letting out a sigh of relief. “Just Harry. Go back to sleep love.” Sirius slipped out of bed but not before placing a kiss on Remus forehead.
Harry's words spilled over the parchment of Sirius’s notebook. Confusion, memoryless, goblins, and Dumbledore’s mind attack. In the center of it all. His niece. Lost in thought Sirius was oblivious to Remus puttering in the kitchen. That scrumptious man handed him a steaming cup of tea.
“Would you care to share with the class?” Remus asked with a carefree smile.
Pulling at his hair Sirius finally responded. “Would you like the long or short version?”
“Short.” Stiffness taking over Remus’ form, not a drop of humor left in him.
Sirius took a deep breath “Hermione is working with the goblins. They came to Hogwarts to collect items. Hermione and Harry were conveniently their guides. Harry has no memory of what they collected. Dumbledore attacked both Harry and Hermione’s minds searching for answers. Good news, whatever that Bulgarian Sorceress did, held. Hermione’s bracelet attacked Dumbledore back.”
A single beat between the two lovers before the thick mug holding Remus’s tea cracked into multiple pieces splashing his tea to the floor. Without a word he stalked into the bedroom. Retrieving his own notebook and favorite quill. Placing his hand in front of Sirius. “Shall we?” Pulling Sirius up from the weathered sofa.
Remus patronus bounced around them. Sirius hadn’t registered him casting. “Find Arthur Weasley and Tsvetanka Krum tell them to come at once to the Grangers.”
Giving a half hearted apology to his sister and Richard. Sirius suggested they wait until the rest of their group arrived. Cassie put on the kettle as the three of them watched Remus angrily write in his notebook.
No longer after Tanka arrived, just as Remus let out a gut wrenching howl.
“Iz too early for such noise. Da?” Tanka held her ears.
Immediately the sounds of an argument drifted into the kitchen. Familiar from a time before Sirius had been imprisoned.
Kingsley had set up the floo for the Grangers a few days prior. The sounds increased to yells pulling the rest of the adults attention away from Remus and to the impending couple.
“Arthur, it’s barely morning. Who on earth is summoning you at this hour.”
“Molly. You should have stayed home.”
“What? And leave you at this ungodly hour, with the families whose own daughter is a slag. She lived under our roof Arthur and we turned a blind eye. I shall not have her ruining our family's reputation. Let’s go see what was so important to summon my husband.”
As if the word commanded Padfoot, the demon dog exploded outward, ears flattened against his skull as Molly’s voice sliced through the kitchen. Slag. The word barely left her mouth before the enormous black dog was moving. A snarl ripped through the room. Claws skidded across the hardwood as Padfoot launched himself directly at Molly Weasley with terrifying force as she passed through the doorway. Tea rattled violently. Cassie yelped. Arthur swore.
“BLOODY HELL!” Molly shrieked as the massive paws slammed into the front of her robes, sharp teeth snapping inches from her face. “Get this beast off me!”
Remus caught the dog around the middle just before Padfoot could bowl her completely over. The force nearly dragged Remus across the floor as the great black hound twisted furiously in his arms, barking with wild rage.
“Pad-Snuffles, Easy! Easy boy.”
Padfoot barked again, violently.
“He tried to bite me!” Molly screeched.
“Frankly.” Cassie hissed. “I’m disappointed he missed.” Strolling to Sirius, patting his head as she whispered into his ear.
“Remus, why don’t you two go and fetch those pastries we love so much? They should be opening any minute now………..I’ll take care of taking out the trash.” Cassie nodded towards Molly. Remus quickly fled the room with Padfoot in tow.
Arthur was appalled. His wife had been completely inappropriate but Cassie had been directly hostile towards Molly. “Cassie?”
“No.” Cassie’s calm demeanor shifted. She rounded on Molly with blazing eyes. “You do not walk into my home and call my daughter a slag because grown men happen to love her.”
Molly sputtered. “She stayed under our roof while carrying on with-”
“With your son Charlie pursuing her every chance he got.” Cassie snapped.
Molly Froze.
Richard folded his arms near the counter with a smug look on his face. “And Viktor Krum has been apparently devoted to the two since the moment they met. Which was…. four weeks ago.”
Viktor Krum?” Molly repeated faintly.
Tsvetanka waved a dismissive hand. “Da. Boys are idiots. De whole of Bulgaria knows.” Tanka continued. “Dey are fated.”
“What on earth does that mean?” Molly snapped, now looking simply confused.
“Soulmarks.” Tanka said.
The kitchen went quiet. Arthur’s eyes widened slightly. Soulmarks? Charlie! He would have told them……. No, he would have run. He did run away. Charlie wouldn’t have trusted his mother with something so sacred. Molly would have searched everywhere for the matching mark.
Tanka clicked her tongue at Molly. “You English ignore perfectly good magic.” Tanka explained, counting on her fingers. “Charlie, Viktor, Hermione. Shared bond. Rare. Ancient. Powerful.”
“I would have known.” Molly spoke to herself. Then turned toward the living room stomping all the way to the floo. “Shell Cottage…… William Weasley, you come to this floo at once!”
“I don’t care what time it is.”
“Does that brother of yours have a soulmark?”
“Which brother? WHICH BROTHER! You are not too old to go over my knee, William Arthur Weasley.”
What sounded similar to an armored door clanking shut echoed through the Grangers home. A fuming Molly trudged back into the kitchen.
A broad grin crossed over Tanka’s face. Turning towards Cassie she placed her hand on Cassie's forearm. Raising her voice while pretending to whisper. “Ve vile be favorite Baba’s.”
Despite everything, Cassie let out a startled laugh. Tanka was already daydreaming aloud.
“Little cottage near dragon reserve. During de day Viktor vill play quidditch. Charlie vill manage dragons. Hermione vill do anyding her heart desires as vell as run their household because boys vould forget heads othervise.”
Richard snorted looking towards Cassie with joy in his eyes. “Probably accurate…..though many many years from now..”
Tanka made shooing motion “Ba….Richard and Cassie retire to Bulgaria. Ve live in castle together. Cassie and I veave protection charms for babies.” Tanka continued happily. “Tiny dragon scale blankets. Strong vards. Very spoiled grandchildren.”
“Absolutley not!” Molly said sharply.
Cassie’s expression turned glacial. “You do not get a say.”
Molly recoiled. “She is sixteen!”
“And Charlie is your son.” Cassie hissed back. “Interesting how your first instinct is to shame Hermione instead of questioning your adult son and his intentions with MY teenage daughter.”
Tonka snapped her fingers and a conjured patchwork book appeared. Casting a duplication charm over the item now two sitting side-by-side. “Hmmm…” Thinking better of it she casted another. Three patchwork books like three identical quilts. Raising her hand once more she casted one more spell over the two copies. Handing one to Cassie then standing from her chair she presented to Molly. “Perhasp you read vhat de rest of de world dinks about Hermione? Not believe de rantings of a fraud. Spell should hold vor a day or zo.”
Arthur sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. Together Molly and Arthur had always presented a united front. Even when Molly was quick to anger and defaulted to the easiest explanation. Proof was never a need for Molly, only the most likely story. With seven kids, even if they punished the wrong child, statistically that child had gotten away with much more. He loved his wife deeply but Hermione was not their child and Molly had no right to treat her in such a careless way. “Molly……”
“No.” Molly turned stiffly towards the door. “Arthur we are leaving.”
Arthur’s feet planted, staying exactly where he was. After a long moment he said quietly. “I’m staying.”
“You are not welcome in our home Molly. Please see your way out.” Cassie said firmly.
Molly stared at Arthur in disbelief. Scanning the faces around the room. No ally in sight. Letting out a shrill scream she stalked over to the Granger’s fireplace throwing a handful of floo powder, disappearing into the flames.
“Cup of tea Arthur?” Richard asked kindly.
“Please.” Arthur dropped defeatedly into the empty chair at the table.
“She can come back when she’s made amends with Hermione and admitted to us her behavior was wildly inappropriate.” Cassie calmly explained to Arthur.
“I fear that will never come to pass. Molly is stubborn and I have rarely seen her apologize. She loves fiercely but trusts information before it is vetted.”
“Ne, she vill not be gone long. Fear of losing bebeta too strong.” Tanka smiled into her tea.
The room drifted into a comfortable silence. Until the sound of heavy boots echoed from the door. Padfoot entered first, followed by Remus holding a large box of pastries. A final heavy step allowed for Kingsley’s form to be seen.
Richard popped out of his seat, arm extended. “Kings, so good to see you.”
“Richard, I am sorry to intrude. Although it looks like you are hosting, perhaps this is a bad time?”
“Nonsense” Richard brushed off Kings possible exit. “What has brought you to our humble abode? Have you finally taken us up on the teeth cleaning?”
“Umm.. I have urgent business. May we speak in private?”
“No. Anything you have to say can be shared with those in this room.”
Kings explained he had received an owl late last night. Two vials filled with goblin memories. The note was odd as it asked for him to keep the memories safe. Being an Auror he of course reviewed them and the contents were alarming. Typically he would go to the guardian of the victim but in this case that was the perpetrator.
“Dumbledore attacked Harry and Hermione?” Arthur asked carefully.
“It would be easier if you would review the memories.” Kings explained as he pulled a basin out of his pocket. Spilled the contents of each vial in the basin then enlarging it to the size of the wall.
“Vait!” Tanka interrupted before the memories played. Conjuring a spinning top, she placed the children’s toy in front of Cassie. Instructing her to keep it spinning. “Proceed.”
Harry crumbling to the ground. Dumbledore accuses Hermione. Dumbledore trapped by the glow of the Bulgarian bracelet.
“Do you have any idea what is going on?” Kings asked the group.
Cassie’s top was spinning at an unsustainable speed. The kitchen table was smoking close to catching on fire. Tanka quickly transfigured it into a coin. It wobbled once while Cassie concentrated on spinning the coin slowly.
Cassie asked Remus. “Can we trust him?” Gesturing to Kingsley.
“It’s a risk.” He responded, Padfoot barked in agreement.
“Well she is clearly taking all the risks.”Cassie pointed to the basin. “Alright Remus, give us the update and keep out our family business." Cassie ordered shifting her eyes over Kingsley. The table wanted to trust him but not with Sirius’s freedom.
Remus spent the next half hour going over Harry but mostly Hermione’s activities. Including colluding with the goblins, harvesting basilisk parts, finding a dark artifact, sending it to Tanka, and scheduling a meeting with Narcissa Malfoy which was certainly a trap.
The coin Cassie was spinning shot into the wall across from them as Remus discussed the likely trap.
“This is too much for her. She is supposed to be a student. Not a mastermind.” Cassie cried.
“Joan Of Arc was supposed to be a teenager and she led France to victory.” Remus retorted.
“She was burned at the stake Remus.”
“Ve vill help. Remus you get me vhen date is set. Ve buy shop vor de day.”
“Kings, would you be willing to escort me to Hermione’s meeting?” Cassie asked.
“It would be my pleasure. Owl me when you know the date and time.” Kingsley glanced at his watch. “I must be off. I'm already dreadfully late as it is.”
Cassie stopped him. “Oh Kings, it goes without saying. Do not repeat a word of what was discussed today.”
“Mums the word. You lot are terrifying.” Kings fled the room.
“Mutt ready to go dress shopping for that dreadful Parkinson girl?” Cassie asked.
“If Hermione is collecting snakes we will need teen magazines and high fashion! Can we stop at Bound and Found?” Newly transformed Sirius jumped up and down.
“Bert and Olive met you before me?”
“Dear sister, little do you know…..Bert and Olive knew us as siblings before we did.”
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It had been a long road of groveling from Molly Weasley. She had first come with a basket full of excuses. Then she tried half-hearted apologies. Finally after weeks of letters from Hermione and daily attempts of forgiveness. Cassie had decided to give Molly one last chance of friendship.
In mid-October Arthur and Richard had taken a break from their weekly building of their train set to start a new tradition of movie nights. Cassie agreed, since a movie would allow as little talking as possible.
They started with Jurassic Park. Arthur loved it! He couldn’t believe the ‘movie magic.’ Molly was appalled to learn that dinosaurs were real and was relieved when Cassie told her they were extinct.
For Halloween and in anticipation for The Triwizard Tournament. Cassie invited Tanka, the Weasley’s, Kings, Remus, and Padfoot for a movie night and to pass out candy to all the children.
Richard picked out a recent classic Tremors. Cassie popped the popcorn. Molly brought desserts. While Arthur was in charge of passing out one single piece of candy with a new toothbrush to all the trick-or-treaters. The moment the Tremor breached the ground Arthur jumped out of his seat “Blimey that’s nearly as big as a basilisk.”
“Pardon?” Cassie asked. “Not the same basilisk Hermione harvest?”
“The same-” Arthur replied
“I never asked….. How did Hermione know there was a dead basilisk in Hogwarts?”
Arthur gulped. “I don’t suppose Hermione ever mentioned her adventures at Hogwarts?”
“No, she did not.”
“Did you ever receive any letters from any of the professors? Usually towards the end of the year.”
“No but you are certainly going to tell me.”
Molly interrupted the tense conversation. “For heaven's sake. Completely irresponsible! What was Dumbledore thinking? Cassie dear, you're going to want a Howler after this conversation.”
A message burned on to Remus' locket that could not be undone.
I was picked for the tournament and they are blaming Hermione. H.P.