Chapter 40 – A Secret Between Two People
Early the next morning, Liam stepped out of the boys' dormitory and into the Slytherin common room.
He immediately spotted Cassandra.
She was seated elegantly on one of the leather sofas, a steaming cup of coffee resting on the small table before her.
Clearly, she had been waiting.
"Good morning."
Liam walked over and sat beside her.
Cassandra smiled.
"Let's go to class together today."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"We usually do."
"Not lately."
She gave him a pointed look.
"You've been disappearing every chance you get."
That was difficult to deny.
Between research, secret experiments, forbidden books, and avoiding unwanted attention, he had indeed been difficult to find recently.
"Fair enough."
Liam nodded.
"Then we'll go together."
"Good."
Cassandra seemed pleased.
Then she remembered something.
"Oh, right."
"The Defence Against the Dark Arts class isn't self-study anymore."
That immediately caught Liam's attention.
"Already?"
The position had become vacant after Quirrell's unfortunate downfall.
Cassandra nodded.
"The school hired someone new."
"Apparently he's famous."
"How famous?"
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Something about being an honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League."
"He's written books."
"A lot of books."
"And according to my family servants, he's personally dealt with werewolves, vampires, and all kinds of dangerous creatures."
Liam became interested.
That sounded promising.
At the very least, it sounded more impressive than Quirrell.
"Interesting."
A small smile appeared.
"Perhaps he'll be worth sparring with."
Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"Your first thought is fighting him?"
"If someone claims to be an expert."
Liam shrugged.
"I want to know if they're actually competent."
"Typical."
She shook her head.
Then suddenly remembered something else.
"Speaking of duels."
Liam immediately sensed danger.
"You promised."
There it was.
"A magical duel."
"You said yes."
Liam sighed.
"I did."
"After Defence Against the Dark Arts today?"
Cassandra's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Good."
She looked delighted.
Then her attention drifted toward another topic entirely.
"The dragon yesterday was incredible."
Liam nearly choked.
Thankfully, he managed to maintain a neutral expression.
"Was it?"
"It was amazing."
Cassandra leaned forward excitedly.
"My father once took me to see dragons in Romania."
"But that silver dragon felt completely different."
"There was something... majestic about it."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You know what it was, don't you?"
Liam paused.
"A Patronus."
"A Patronus?"
Her eyes widened.
"That was a Patronus?"
"More or less."
Cassandra immediately looked jealous.
"I've heard the Patronus Charm is extremely difficult."
"Even my parents can't cast one."
"It's not easy."
Liam agreed.
"I wish I could learn it."
"You can."
Cassandra blinked.
"I can?"
"Of course."
Then Liam added:
"Though your Patronus probably won't look like that dragon."
"Why not?"
"Because Patronuses reflect the soul."
He leaned back against the sofa.
"To a certain extent, they reveal a person's true nature."
"Which means everyone's is different."
Understanding dawned on her face.
"So that's how it works."
Then she froze.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You know a lot about Patronuses."
Liam immediately regretted speaking.
Cassandra's expression became increasingly suspicious.
"You know the spell."
"Maybe."
"You know exactly how it works."
"Possibly."
"Liam."
Her voice became dangerously calm.
"Yes?"
"That dragon wasn't yours, was it?"
Silence.
An extremely suspicious silence.
Cassandra's eyes widened.
"No way."
More silence.
"Liam."
He sighed.
The reaction told her everything.
"IT WAS YOU!"
Her voice echoed through the common room.
"Keep your voice down!"
Liam immediately hissed.
Cassandra clamped both hands over her mouth.
Then leaned forward.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You actually did it?"
"Maybe."
"You did!"
"Hypothetically."
"You absolutely did."
Liam gave up.
"Fine."
A victorious smile appeared on Cassandra's face.
"I knew it."
"But."
Liam raised a finger.
"This stays between us."
"Forever."
Cassandra blinked.
"That's serious."
"Very."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want more attention."
"Too late."
"You know what I mean."
She did.
After a moment, Cassandra nodded.
"I promise."
"A secret between us."
Only then did Liam continue.
"The dragon was my Patronus."
Her eyes widened again.
"A Patronus can become that big?"
"Normally?"
"No."
"So what happened?"
"I modified the spell."
Naturally.
At this point, Cassandra was no longer surprised.
Liam modifying ancient magic had somehow become normal.
"How?"
"The traditional Patronus uses happy memories."
"Mine doesn't."
Cassandra frowned.
"Then what powers it?"
"My will."
The answer made her blink.
"My determination."
"My pride."
"My refusal to lose."
"Things like that."
For a moment, Cassandra simply stared at him.
Then she grinned.
"That sounds exactly like you."
"Thanks."
"I'm not sure it was a compliment."
"It still sounded nice."
Cassandra laughed.
"Can you teach me?"
"The normal version?"
"Both versions."
Liam considered it.
"Professor Snape gave me his Patronus notes."
"I can teach you the traditional spell."
"As for my version..."
He hesitated.
"It might be harder."
"Harder?"
"Much harder."
Cassandra immediately crossed her arms.
"Hmph."
"Are you underestimating me?"
"No."
Liam shook his head.
"You just don't understand my circumstances."
The teasing expression vanished from Cassandra's face.
"Then explain."
Liam was silent.
The memories weren't pleasant.
Even now.
Especially now.
But eventually he spoke.
"Imagine being tortured every day."
Cassandra frowned.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not joking."
The room became quiet.
Liam's voice remained calm.
Almost too calm.
"Imagine someone using the Cruciatus Curse on you for years."
"Punishing you whenever they felt bored."
"Whenever they were angry."
"Whenever they wanted entertainment."
Cassandra's face turned pale.
"Liam…"
"Eventually."
His silver eyes became distant.
"You stop fearing pain."
"You stop expecting kindness."
"You just survive."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
The cheerful atmosphere disappeared completely.
"You lived like that?"
The question came out as a whisper.
"Yes."
"In a Death Eater household."
Liam shrugged.
"As normal as breakfast."
For several seconds Cassandra couldn't speak.
Then, unexpectedly, she reached out.
Her fingers gently touched his cheek.
"I'll take care of you from now on."
Liam froze.
His heart skipped a beat.
"Cassandra—"
"It's a promise."
The smile she gave him wasn't arrogant.
Wasn't proud.
Wasn't even teasing.
Just sincere.
Liam suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
Not because he disliked it.
Because he didn't know how to respond.
"Anyway."
He coughed awkwardly.
"Class starts soon."
"Hahaha."
Cassandra immediately noticed his embarrassment.
"Are you blushing?"
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
Before Liam could react—
She leaned forward.
And kissed his cheek.
Time stopped.
Liam's brain stopped.
Everything stopped.
For several seconds he simply sat there.
Completely frozen.
Cassandra leaned back with a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile Liam looked as though someone had just hit him with a Stunning Spell.
"You…"
He pointed at her.
Speech failed.
"You…"
Still nothing.
"Do you do that to everyone?"
The question escaped before he could stop it.
The smile disappeared instantly.
Cassandra's expression turned cold.
Dangerously cold.
"Excuse me?"
Liam immediately realized his mistake.
"Oh."
"Oh no."
"You think I'm that kind of girl?"
Her voice could have frozen lava.
"No."
"I didn't mean—"
"You absolutely did."
Liam covered his face.
"Sorry."
The apology came immediately.
Genuine.
"I panicked."
"So I said something stupid."
Cassandra stared at him.
Then snorted.
"At least you admit when you're wrong."
"I am wrong."
"Good."
The anger faded.
Then she suddenly reached forward.
Lifting his chin with one hand.
Liam blinked.
Caught completely off guard.
"Look at me."
"What?"
"Look at me."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Liam obeyed.
Cassandra's crimson eyes locked onto his.
"No one gets to make you lower your head."
Her voice was calm.
Firm.
Certain.
"Not Death Eaters."
"Not Dumbledore."
"Not anyone."
A proud smile appeared.
"Not even me."
Then she poked his forehead.
"Because people like us aren't meant to kneel."
The confidence in her voice was absolute.
"One day."
"We'll stand at the top of the wizarding world."
"And when that happens…"
Her smile widened.
"You'd better still remember this conversation."
For the first time that morning, Liam laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"Alright."
Then he stood.
"Let's get to class before we're late."
Cassandra rose beside him.
"Good."
And together, they left the Slytherin common room.
....
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