Remus Lupin awoke to the sound of rapt knocking at his bedroom door. He was unaware of his surroundings for a few blurred seconds, having been lost in the intensity of a lucid dream only moments before. The soft-skinned witch that had been in his clutches disappeared as quickly as the details he so desperately attempted to cling to. On other nights, when he was trapped in nightmares of mauling loved ones, he begged to escape them. This morning's greeting was cruel.
"What is it?" he called hoarsely.
"Good morning to you, too, Moony," Sirius quipped as he flung open the door.
"It would be a better morning if you had let me lie in."
"And let you miss breakfast?" Sirius clomped into the room with his cane before tossing it away and sitting on the bed. "What kind of friend would I be?"
"I don't have lessons until the afternoon," Remus protested, rubbing his eyes.
"Ah, yes," Sirius said, lounging back with his hands folded behind his head, "The Potions Master and his new bride are returning to the castle today."
Remus nodded. He and a select few other professors had been covering the Potions lectures while Snape had been on his honeymoon. It had been exhausting, teaching more classes and trying to manage his lycanthropic symptoms. Thankfully, enough Wolfsbane had been brewed to last him through the next two lunar cycles. "And you're feeling...okay with it?"
"How do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean."
Remus didn't feel particularly keen on having this conversation, or anything closely related to it. In a few long strides, he crossed the threshold into the small sitting room. In the seconds it took for Sirius to retrieve his cane and follow him, Remus tried to gather his nerve.
He turned to face his friend. Sirius had begun speaking just as Remus opened his mouth.
"It's not a crime, you know," said Sirius, leaning on his cane as he stared at Remus. "Feelings like the ones that you have for her, you can't help them - "
"I don't have feelings for anyone."
"Moony," Sirius groaned, sliding into the chair nearest to him. "You don't have to pretend. Not with me. It just makes things harder - "
"You're one to talk!" Remus snapped.
"Pardon?"
"Running around Hogsmeade, chasing anything with a skirt that glances your way. You think I can't see through your facade? That you don't miss Romily?"
Sirius's mouth clenched shut. His nostrils flared as he glared at his werewolf companion, irritation apparent. He knew Remus had brought up Romily solely to change the subject, but it was a sore spot nonetheless.
"Moony, I'll give you a pass just this once, but if you bring up the topic again, we will have a problem."
"Fine," said Remus. "I'll agree not to bring her up, as long as you agree not to bring up Miss Bl -," he nearly stuttered. It would be hell getting used to her new surname. "Her."
"And how do you propose we go about that?" Sirius challenged. "Snape is your colleague, as is she. Are you going to avoid them both forever?" He followed Remus as he moved about the quaint apartment to get ready for the morning, although absentmindedly. "Shall I rush ahead of you into each room, make sure neither one is there before you dare enter?"
"No, of course not."
"Alright then. Maybe I'll track the Snapes for a few days, get to know their schedule. That way, you'll know what parts of the castle to avoid. Obviously, the dungeons are out. And eating in the Great Hall...well, that's something you'll miss, I'm sure, but you can sneak into the kitchens and nip food from the house elves. Just like the good old days, eh?"
"Enough, Padfoot."
There were a few minutes of blessed silence as Sirius allowed Remus to use the loo in private. As soon as he was finished, the bombardment resumed. Sirius smacked his own forehead. "We'll break them up! Why did I not think of this earlier?"
"I am fully aware that I will not be able to avoid them!" Remus nearly yelled. "I just need a minute to adjust. Is that alright?"
Sirius's triumphant smirk instantly softened. "You've had more than a minute to get used to the idea, Moony."
"I know, Padfoot. I understand that entertaining these feelings, even in the smallest ways, is ridiculous. I'm a reasonable wizard, am I not? But when I see her, or hear her, or..." he lowered his head, avoiding Sirius's eyes, "smell her...I can't help any of it." His closed fist slowly hovered over his heart. He grimaced and lowered his arm to his side when he realized how he must look.
The journey to the Great Hall was slow. Sirius had regained his ability to walk only a few weeks ago, and even now, his legs were wobbly beneath him. Lupin was sure to stay at his friend's side as he hobbled down the corridors with his cane. He was momentarily grateful that their arrival at breakfast was delayed by Sirius's compromised gait. He was ashamed as soon as he realized it.
The newlyweds had arrived before them. It seemed they had just found their places at the head table, as Cassie was still standing. Half the staff was speaking animatedly to Severus and her at the same time, likely congratulating them on their nuptials and asking about their honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. Remus noticed the rosy glow in Cassie's cheeks. He couldn't recall the last time she looked so healthy.
As Remus drank in the sight of the raven-haired witch for the first time in two weeks, the skin prickled on the back of his neck. His gaze involuntarily left Cassie and landed on a pair of onyx eyes that were studying him carefully.
Remus cleared his throat as he raised his goblet of pumpkin juice. "To the new married couple," he announced shakily. His colleagues quickly followed suit, raising goblets of juice and mugs of coffee. The majority of the student body watched as their DADA professor toasted their Potions Master and his new bride. Severus looked unamused with the sudden attention. "To a lifetime of peace and happiness." The staff murmured their agreement before sipping from their cups. The student body erupted in cheers and claps. Remus turned his chair slightly so he would not accidentally find himself staring again.
"Smooth," Sirius mused. Remus elbowed him in the ribs before shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
He ate his breakfast as quickly as he could with the intention of returning to his quarters until his first lesson began. He stood to do just that, but what he didn't expect was for the Potions Master to make a bid for his presence.
"Lupin," Severus said lazily from three seats away, "if you could accompany me to the Potions classroom."
Remus did not protest. The two wizards walked silently to the dungeons, not that they could have had a conversation if Remus wanted to. The Head of Slytherin's elegant strides were so fast that Remus almost had to jog to keep up.
Severus rounded his desk at the front of the classroom just as Lupin had a chance to take a few steps inside. He flinched when the heavy door slammed shut behind him.
The Potions Master's attention was fixed on the stack of parchment stacked in the middle of his desk. Remus swallowed thickly, wondering when the angry threats would be hurled at him.
"Well?" Severus questioned as he rifled through a stack of fifth-year essays.
Well, what? Lupin was at a loss. Did the wizard expect him to apologize for looking at his wife this morning? To swear to never lay eyes on her again? To confess his undying affection and then face off in a duel to the death?
Irked by his colleague's silence, Severus's eyes lifted from the parchment in his hands to the werewolf. "I'm sorry, what?" Remus sputtered stupidly. A lingering aroma, one that made his heart race, wafted from Severus's skin and robes.
With a raised eyebrow, Severus glared at Remus. Could he really be this boneheaded? "I need the itinerary from the last two weeks."
"Last two - oh, the students." Remus let out a sharp exhale.
"Yes, the students," Severus drawled as he dropped the stack of essays onto his desk. "The ones that I entrusted to you and the other teachers in my absence."
"The lesson plans I used are in the left drawer," said Remus. Severus yanked the drawer open and snatched the papers out, as if having something from another professor in his desk would taint it. His black eyes darted back and forth as he read through Remus's looping handwriting.
"And you did not allow them to brew, as I instructed?"
"No, they did not brew anything, Severus. Not with me."
"Not with you...meaning another teacher did?"
Remus did his best to hide the smile that played on his lips. "I think I'll allow Minerva to speak to you about that."
Severus was about to snarl a reply as the classroom doors opened. Remus did not have to see Cassie to know that she was now in the room. Her scent, especially now that it was not mixed with hundreds of others, had become intoxicating to him. What he had smelled on Severus earlier hit his senses a hundredfold. If he didn't leave soon, the couple might notice his flushed skin and darkened pupils.
"Hello, Remus," Cassie said lightly. She sensed a peculiar tension between the two wizards, but at first glance, nothing seemed amiss. In fact, considering that Severus was alone with Lupin, he seemed quite content.
"Hello, Cassiopeia," Lupin replied. Cassie rounded the desk, coming to stand next to the Potions Master.
"Husband," she said with a smile. He greeted her with a curt nod. She hardly expected him to pull her into a passionate kiss in front of one of his colleagues. "Pomona and Aurora are going to stop by as soon as they're done eating."
"I do hope they intend on horking down what is left of their breakfasts," Severus murmured softly, his eyes glued to an essay. "Lessons start in fifteen minutes."
"Your students could do with a small delay," Cassie replied brightly. "It might help them ease back into having their Potions Master again." She gripped Severus's forearm. It was a small gesture, something she thought would be innocent. But merely touching him, even if it was over layers of black robes, made her crave him. She stepped closer, feeling the rumble of his voice as he questioned Lupin on his fourth-year lecture from four days earlier.
Memories of their honeymoon played behind her eyes. A particularly saucy tryst that happened on the balcony of their hotel room came to mind, and she nearly forgot where she was. It wasn't until the door banged open that her thoughts returned to the potions classroom.
Professors Sprout and Sinistra congratulated the newlyweds all over again, as if they hadn't just seen Severus and Cassie at breakfast. Lupin slipped out into the dungeon corridor as the Astronomy professor squealed over Cassie's wedding ring.
Cassie noticed the DADA professor's unannounced departure moments later. "A moment, Aurora, I just need to talk to Remus." She pulled her hand from Sinistra's grip. She stepped out into the corridor and left Severus to field rapid-fire questions about their honeymoon from two very inquisitive older witches.
"Remus!" Cassie called after the werewolf. He was walking so fast that he had nearly rounded the corner near Filch's old detention chambers. For a few moments, she was unsure if he had heard her. Finally, he slowed his stride and allowed her to catch up to him.
"Yes, Madam Snape?" he asked sharply. Cassie wrinkled her nose at him. She appreciated the use of her new surname, but the way it rolled off his tongue was frigid.
"We need to discuss the matter of - " she lowered her voice when the sound of laughing students descended down the corridor. "Your safety. Can we meet later?"
"Ah," Lupin nodded. "The bounty on my head."
"Yes, that small matter."
"After lunch? I can come to you."
"Your classroom is fine," Cassie said, turning on her heel. She gave him a small wave as she nearly jogged back in the direction of her husband, so distracted by the thought of returning to him that she missed the werewolf's lingering gaze.
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Crickets chirped loudly, a merry soundtrack against the backdrop of an otherwise quiet, starlit night. It was just after curfew, ensuring the students would be in bed as their Potions Master glided across the grounds. He slid through the gates and crossed into Hogsmeade, a small creak of metal the only indication that someone had departed Hogwarts.
Tonight's visit to the outskirts of Little Hangleton was not preceded by the Dark Mark burning against his skin. It had been carefully orchestrated by Dumbledore, Cassie, and himself. He was acutely aware that he could be walking to his death, but he had steadied the swift beating of his heart long before he allowed himself to leave the dungeons.
Riddle Manor had been repaired since the battle with Cassie's Saints. The Dark Lord had taken the opportunity to add Salazar Slytherin's crest to the magically updated decor. The sparkling emerald eyes of silver serpents stared from all angles as Severus made his way to the master suite.
"Ah, Severus," the Dark Lord's high-pitched voice greeted him. "Or should I say, son-in-law!" The Death Eaters who possessed one brain cell guffawed in amusement. The others with any semblance of intelligence remained silent.
"My lord," Severus murmured as he bowed. He wished he could keep his gaze fixed on the floor for the entirety of this interaction. Kalina was in the chair next to the Dark Lord, but she was hunched forward, likely from exhaustion or pain. Her blonde hair was braided, cascading down her shoulder, and her green eyes were glazed over as she stared at nothing. The last time that Severus had dared to look into them, he could see the flickers of desperation. He wondered if she could muster even that any longer.
"And to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" The Dark Lord mused. Bulstrode's Muggle victim whimpered as he tightened his hold on her wrist.
"Drink, you wench, or I'll shove something else down your throat - "
"Bulstrode," Lord Voldemort said with a click of his tongue. "Either keep quiet or take your plaything downstairs."
Severus kept his face expressionless as Balfour dragged the beaten woman from the room. Kalina's gaze flickered to the door as it shut, but only for a split second before it returned to the empty spot on the wall.
"Forgive the interruption," said the Dark Lord. "Have you grown weary of handling Cassiopeia? Would you like to rescind your marriage vows?" More ill-advised chuckles. Their Master was mildly flippant now, but he would not tolerate even a smile when his mood flipped. And it always did.
"No, my lord. If you would allow it, I would like to relay information that you may deem important."
"Regarding what?"
Severus made a point to glance around the room. It was no secret that Severus did not think highly of most of Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters. "Cassiopeia and her congregants."
Crouch stepped forward almost immediately. "Master - "
"Leave, all of you," Voldemort interjected.
"Master, I implore you to let me - "
"I said leave," Voldemort hissed. Crouch and the others obeyed without another protest, taking their pillaged Muggles with them. Only Kalina remained with Voldemort and Severus, something that had happened more than once.
"Barty takes offense at his dismissal." Severus dared to voice his observation, but he needed confirmation that his standing with the Dark Lord was ascending as he thought it was. He prepared for the possible furor that might come instead.
"Yes, Barty has been resentful since his transgressions were found out," the Dark Lord said, lifting his goblet and draining the contents inside. "He often needs reminding that he has been disobedient."
"Yes, my lord."
"Not that your marriage to my heir has helped to lighten his mood," Voldemort added, pointing his wand at his goblet. Blood-red wine began to pour from the wand's tip. "Tell me, Severus, how has my daughter been spending her time now that she is free to do as she pleases? Is she gallivanting with vampires and werewolves and half-breeds once again?"
Severus visibly winced, a stark difference from the usual stoic mask he kept in place while in front of Lord Voldemort. He hoped he remained ignorant of the performance. "Her behavior continues to be as vile as ever."
The Dark Lord grimaced. "No respectable pure-blood would ever have touched her. It was best that you married her." Thankfully, Severus had already slipped back into his practiced facade, or the other wizard might have detected the pulsing rage that was building within him. "Now what have you left your new bride's embrace to tell me?"
"Cassiopeia plans to travel to St. Petersburg to confront Minister Gryzlov."
"When?"
"In two days."
"And when she confronts the Russian minister," said his father-in-law, whose red eyes now bore into him, unblinking, "does she intend to usurp his position?"
"She intends to ensure that those who remain in power at the Magical Duma were not previously under Gryzlov's council." The Dark Lord sipped from his goblet, using the silent moment to think. Severus kept his gaze on the other wizard's shoulder as he waited for the next question, next realization, next suspicious accusation. His next opportunity for a fatal mistake.
"Does my daughter know that you are here, Severus?"
Severus hoped that Lord Voldemort would be too caught up in planning his next move to have the forethought to ask. He knew it would be unlikely that he would not question his half-blood advisor's source. "Yes, my lord."
The Dark Lord's sharp, crooked canine was visible as he sneered at the Potions Master. He did not protest when those red eyes met his and began to probe his mind. He had come to expect it at least once when he was in the Dark Lord's presence. It was a carefully choreographed, one-sided dance that he had mastered long ago. The most precious and valuable information was safe behind an impenetrable wall. Carefully curated memories, ones used to convince Lord Voldemort that he had access to everything, were nudged forward just far enough to be taken as bait.
It was highly beneficial to be the husband of a highly skilled Legilimens. With time and practice, Severus was convinced that Cassie would even surpass her father.
Voldemort paged through Severus's recent days like he was casually flipping through a diary. He landed on the conversation between Severus and his daughter that led to this meeting. It had taken place in the couple's Hogwarts sitting room.
"I have to give the Dark Lord something, or he will mistrust my loyalties, Cassie."
"You don't have to do anything, Sev - "
"I do if you want to ensure my safety."
Bated silence. Then, "It will be much more dangerous if the Death Eaters interfere."
The Dark Lord must have found the conversation uninteresting. He moved through other exposed memories, focusing on ones involving Cassie. He saw her talk to Lupin in the great hall. Grade papers as she sat next to her husband in the Potions classroom. Write a letter to Alastor Moody.
He went back to their wedding day. Severus's stomach was in knots as the Dark Lord watched Cassie from the groom's perspective. They were repeating their vows.
Cassie reached up to wipe a tear from Severus's cheek, and for the first time, he fought against Lord Voldemort's mental onslaught. It was only moments later when the Dark Lord severed the connection. Severus abhorred the amused smirk on the dark wizard's face as he caught his breath.
"Sensitive topic, Severus?"
"I sincerely apologize, my lord."
Lord Voldemort snorted. "You would be much more useful if you squandered your feelings for her, my dewy-eyed half-blood." Severus would never admit that he agreed. But nothing in his ill-fated, tainted world would make him give her up. This was an intricate, dangerous game he was playing. That fact was never lost on him.
"Yes, my lord."
"Nonetheless," said the other wizard, conjuring a wine goblet and pushing it into the Head of Slytherin's hands. "Your forewarning shall not go unrewarded. No matter that it displeases me that my daughter knows your plans to tell me."
"My lord, to upkeep her trust, I must - "
"No need to explain." The Dark Lord gestured to the goblet in the younger wizard's hands. "Now, drink."
Drink, he did. He drank as much wine as he could to tolerate the 'reward' he was subjected to for the remainder of the night. The other Death Eaters and the remaining kidnapped Muggles rejoined them; two of them had been killed in the time it had taken for Voldemort and Severus to speak in private. The three left were passed around the group at random. Severus knew that a sleeping draught would be needed, or he would hear their screams the next time he tried to rest.
Crouch seemed fixated on a pale-skinned, black-haired Muggle woman. He beat her to the point of almost losing consciousness and smashed her up against the wall as he raped her. She slid back down to the floor as he pulled his robes back around his torso to cover himself.
Severus could feel Crouch's stare. Whether the other wizard was perturbed that he was seated next to the Dark Lord or there was some other imagined slight he took offense to, Severus couldn't be sure. But his panting, sneering form approached slowly, and Severus could no longer avoid the impending conflict.
"Your turn, Snape."
Severus didn't bother to hide his disdain. Even the Dark Lord was empathetic after Crouch and Macnair had taken it upon themselves to spill Cassie's blood. "As usual, Crouch. I will refrain."
"Think raping Muggle swine is above you, do you?"
"Yes," Severus said simply.
Crouch spat at his feet. Lord Voldemort, next to Severus, raised a hairless eyebrow. "Is something on your mind, Barty?"
The Death Eater's bloodshot eyes took a moment to focus on his Master. "I will come out and say it, Master. I doubt Snape's loyalty."
"Because he does not desire to fornicate with your scraps?" Voldemort mused, gesturing lazily toward the bleeding raven-haired woman on the floor.
Crouch exhaled sharply. "Because he will not assert his exalted station as a wizard. He is above these cretins, and yet he never partakes - "
"I would rather he not," Voldemort interrupted, "not that it concerns you."
Crouch's eyes widened. "Master, I do not understand."
The Dark Lord turned to glance at his son-in-law knowingly, his annoyance with Crouch thinly veiled as they locked eyes. "Then I will spell it out plainly: If he rapes a Muggle, he will taint my heir and any offspring she might bear."
"Master, she has already soiled herself! He is a half-blood!"
The tension that unfurled from this statement could be cut with a blade. It always amazed Severus that Lord Voldemort's followers pushed the fact that he was a half-blood from their minds, to the point that they forgot themselves during times like this.
The Dark Lord didn't often remind them of his parentage. They remembered as soon as the rage boiled off him, and they sensed danger.
Crouch opened his mouth to speak, likely to attempt to correct his enormous transgression. The Dark Lord cast the Cruciatus Curse before a word could be uttered. He was suddenly writhing on the floor next to his Muggle victim. Kalina, who was sitting on the Dark Lord's other side, clapped her hands over her ears to muffle the sounds of his shrieks. It was a position Severus often saw her in, one of the only attempts at self-preservation she had left.
Severus was far less disturbed. He could listen to Crouch's screams of agony all night if he was allowed.
He didn't know how much time had passed when the torture stopped. Voldemort turned to address only Severus once again. "I am retiring for the night. See to it that Barty understands the message."
The Potions Master didn't need the command repeated. Before the Dark Lord and Kalina left for the master suite, Severus cast the Cruciatus Curse. Crouch resumed writhing on the floor, his screams changing pitch when he began foaming at the mouth.
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"Your cousin is late."
"She is not. It's eight minutes before ten."
"Then she will be." The Potions Master's arms were crossed over his chest as he anticipated his wife's departure to St. Petersburg. She shot him a knowing glance before planting a kiss on his arm.
The couple was in Puck's Glenn, waiting with ten members of the Saints of the Blood. They could not depart for the Hermitage until Romily came with the illegally obtained Portkey. Tonks had managed to smuggle it out of the Ministry and was scheduled to rendezvous with the brunette witch.
Boros, who had just finished patrolling the perimeter of the small patch of trees where they waited, slithered up his mistress's leg. She gestured for him to settle across her shoulders and stroked him gently on the head once he was there.
A loud crack broke the gentle rhythm of the forest's natural hum. Cassie motioned for her Saints to lower their wands when Romily walked into view. "Any snags?" asked Cassie.
"None," said Romily. "Although your cousin was in a foul mood. Perhaps she is jealous that she is not allowed to join us."
Cassie sighed. "I can't risk her being involved at the Duma, not being Fudge's employee."
"Yes. Similar to why your able-bodied husband cannot join," Romily said, shooting an irritated glance at the Head of Slytherin.
"Don't start, Mily."
The brunette witch pushed the empty cigarette carton into her mistress's hands. "It is active in five minutes."
Cassie turned to Severus. "I'll be careful," she tried to reassure him. She noticed his clenched jaw and knew it was eating away at him that he couldn't fight at her side. Everything in her hoped that her father did not expect him to use his wand against the Saints.
She hoped her father valued him more as the skilled spy that he was, rather than another soldier who needed to duel. Most of her Saints would obey her initial command to leave him unharmed, even if he was on the opposing side. That didn't mean they wouldn't question her judgment later.
Cassie, however, was questioning her own judgment in every free second she was not occupied with something else. She and Severus had ultimately agreed that letting her father in on this plan was the most strategic move they could make. They had talked over the agonizing decision for countless hours before settling on it. They hoped letting the Dark Lord in on this plan would strengthen his belief in Severus's loyalties, even if it meant compromising her mission.
But he would need to keep believing that Cassie was just as assured in her husband's allegiance. Enough that she was okay with him giving the enemy insight into her plans. The intricacies of it all made her head spin.
And Dumbledore. He had appeared to be a silent bystander during the entire process, but Cassie wondered what strings he had pulled to make this end result happen.
"I cannot involve myself in overthrowing a magical government," the Headmaster had told her point-blank. "The reactions from our own officials would be...how do I put this - quite dramatic."
So she was to attempt this coup without the elder wizard's help. It felt eerily similar to when he had convinced her to kill Sauda Sombria.
Cassie kissed her husband, inhaling his familiar scent as she remembered their time in front of the fireplace the night before. She wished she could crawl into the safety of his arms and scrunch into his lap. Instead, she let him take a few steps toward the trees so her followers could gather around the Portkey.
She mouthed, "I love you" to him just as the Portkey pulled at her navel and took her away. She assumed that he did the same.
The twelve wizards and witches did not have a long journey to the Hermitage. The Portkey placed them a block away, in an alley between Cafe Rasputin and La Russ. Cassie was less concerned with being seen by the non-magical population and more concerned with how many opposing wands were waiting for them. For her father to trust Severus's information, what he was told had to be accurate. And if he chose to defend Gryzlov's regime, they were in for a difficult fight.
The museum was shut down for the night. Under normal circumstances, it would be nearly impenetrable by magic. It could only be entered if one of Gryzlov's Aurors allowed outsiders to enter. Tonight, Khristina and Bogdan had made sure that would not be a problem.
A small, twirling green light shot up near the east side of the museum. Cassie beckoned her Saints forward, leading the hooded witches and wizards like she was a mother goose leading her goslings.
She was leading them straight to the fox's den. She hoped they would be able to make it back out with all of her goslings unharmed.
They filed into the building quickly. Bogdan sealed the unassuming entrance shut once everyone was inside. "Are the Death Eaters here?" Cassie whispered.
"I haven't seen any," Khristina whispered back.
"And Gryzlov?"
"He is finishing a dinner with the Armenian minister."
Cassie groaned. "Just what I need, another politician involved."
"Think of it as a positive," Khristina encouraged with a smirk, "seeing Gryzlov fall tonight will dissuade her from siding with your father."
"It should not have to be an ultimatum," Cassie protested. The witches did not have time to debate the point. They had reached the clock with the golden birds.
"Two minutes," said Bogdan. Cassie took the opportunity to assess her Saints. They were standing at attention, waiting for her next move or command. Romily must have sensed Cassie's nerves.
"We will stand with you until the very end." The brunette witch declared it with so much resolve. Cassie inhaled shakily as she steadied her emotions.
The golden peacock, owl, and rooster sprang to life. They danced and chirped as the massive display moved aside for them. The loud scraping might alert the Magical Duma that someone had entered without an invitation. Suddenly, the pearly white staircase seemed like an omen.
"This way," said Cassie. Romily tried to push past her on the staircase, but the raven-haired witch would not allow it. She would not allow one of her followers to be the first to go into harm's way.
Cassie entered the large pink, green, and gold room with her wand drawn. The Magical Duma was far less busy at this time of night, but there were still workers bustling about with stacks of parchment charmed to float by their sides. A tall, skinny witch was the first to notice the intruders, and she screamed, her papers exploding around her head like confetti.
Romily strode toward the Russian witch, her wand pointed at her chest. "Gryzlov. Where is he?"
His location was given up without much trouble. The witch told them he was in his favorite dining chambers, still having drinks with the Armenian minister. At least Cassie didn't have to tear through the witch's mind.
Cassie had been in the dining chambers with the teal walls more than once. They were halfway there when a high-pitched wail echoed through the Duma's vast corridors.
"Here we go," Romily noted smugly.
Figures in teal robes burst through doors on multiple sides of the hallway. Eight Aurors charged them, wands drawn, but the two closest to Cassie slowed their pace when they recognized her.
"Miss Black, what is happening here?" the older wizard demanded. Cassie almost corrected him on her surname, then decided it didn't matter at that particular moment.
"I was hoping to speak to your minister," she said evenly. The wizard swallowed thickly, his eyes flitting from her to the large snake wrapped around her shoulders. The alarm was still shrieking, adding to the mounting tension in the large, open room.
"You felt the need to bring this many others?"
"I would like to see Gryzlov," Cassie repeated. "Step aside."
A teal-clothed witch was the next to speak. "Drop your wands!"
Cassie did not bother with further explanation. Her stunning spell hit the Auror square in the chest, and she fell in a crumbled heap to the golden floor. The other Aurors responded with shouts of surprise and an onslaught of offensive spells. The room lit up around them as Saints and Aurors exchanged bursts of magic.
Loud cracks drowned out the wail of the siren as spell slammed into spell. Two more Aurors had been stunned, but three of them were targeting Cassie at once. With her allies in such close vicinity, she couldn't let raw magic run rampant and risk injuring them. She hit one wizard with a disarming spell and pointed her wand at the next. A witch shot a cleaving hex that zoomed past her ear; luckily, she had cast strong shield charms on Boros long before they had entered the Hermitage. The witch fired another, and it bounced off the hissing snake. It rebounded, her own magic slicing her just below the jaw. Red blood painted the floor at her feet.
Her colleague flung herself to her knees to heal the gash. Cassie pointed her wand at the Aurors. "Drop your wand," she commanded.
"I must heal her!" the uninjured Auror gasped, "she'll die!"
Cassie hit the witch's hand with a white-hot bolt. She cried out in pain as her wand clattered to the floor. Cassie kicked it far out of her reach before she could make an attempt to retrieve it. "Are you so loyal to your minister that you will die for him? Will you let her?" Cassie tilted her head to the side as she studied the shaking witch. Her colleague was gurgling on her own blood now. "That is what is going to happen."
"What do you want?"
The duels between the Saints and the remaining Aurors had already ceased. All eyes were on Cassie as she took two slow steps towards the blubbering Auror. "As I've already said twice," she said lowly, "I want Gryzlov."