Sang Qui Lie

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry walked up from behind Cass. "If you make Keeper someone could get upset."

Cass nodded her head firmly. "I don't care. I love Quidditch. I breathe Quidditch. Besides," she glanced sideways at Harry. "The prospect of being on a team that beats Draco is too tantalizing to pass up." She smiled.

As the group of hopeful players neared the Quidditch field, Cass's heart sank. The mass of students at the northern end of the field were talking excitedly. But it was the green and silver ties and emblems that glared at Cass from the pitch black robes that upset her. Since the "accident" in Potions the Slytherins's hatred of Cass had tripled. Unjustly, Cass thought. Only Artemis and she knew the truth.

The Gryffindors had just reached the field when a loud THWACK echoed from inside the Slytherin gang. Yelling, the students scattered. There stood Artemis holding a Beater's club. Lying on the ground in front of her was Draco. And he was completely unconscious.

"Oopsies, did I do that?" Artemis smirked innocently.

Shocked, Cass stopped. She looked from Draco to Artemis back to Draco. Artemis swept out of the Slytherin mass over to the Gryffindors. She saluted and waved to Cass. "We're in the same boat now." Cass felt the corners of her mouth pull into a smirk.

"You hit him!" From behind her, Cass heard Ron. "Brilliant!" Ron's outburst broke the tension. The Gryffindors burst out laughing as Crabbe and Goyle struggled to pick Draco up. As they struggled in the direction of the school, Cass locked eyes with Artemis. She laughed and nodded.

"Gryffindors, over here! Come on now, I didn't book the field for nothing!" Alicia Spinnet, the team captain, hollered. "Let's go!"

Cass followed the group over into the field. Alicia was already speaking. "...keep this civil. Now, normally, positions are guaranteed to players of last years team. However, because of the Triwizards Tournament, there was no Quidditch season last year. So, since everyone's out of practice, all positions are open."

"Alicia, are you mad?" One of the Weasley twins barked. "I've been on this team since my second year!"

"Then it shouldn't be hard for you to get back on it, heh? Okay, I want my Beaters over here, Seekers over there. Keepers on my right, Chasers on my left." Cass walked over to the right and waited for the chaos to settle. There were three other hopeful Keepers. She stared at them coolly, sizing them up. One cringed under her gaze. Hogwarts students provided no competition.

"I'm going to make two teams for this first game. Team One: Potter, Fred, George, Malfoy, Brighton, Johnson, Burns. Get on your brooms."

Cass mounted and flew straight up, trying to memorize the faces of her teammates. Potter and the Weasleys were easy to remember, but the others she did not know. She watched as the opposing team took their positions. Tensing up, Cass leaned down and grasped her broom tightly. Let's get this thing going.

The whistle blew. Cass jerked backwards into a corkscrew turn and stopped right in front of her goals. She watched as Brighton...or at least she thought it was Brighton....got clobbered with a Bludger and lost the Quaffle. An opposing Chaser grabbed it, flipped around, and headed straight for Cass, who leaned down closer.

The Chaser drew nearer. Cass watched. All right Cass. Look at her position. The Chaser moved the Quaffle to her right hand. Rearing back, the girl's eyes flickered to the left. Cass jerked back, her heart pounding. Another Chaser! Cass flew forward as the second Chaser caught the Quaffle. Realizing she'd never make it, Cass flipped forward with all her strength. Miraculously, she felt the Quaffle bounce off the bristles of her broom. She had blocked it.

After that, Cass kept a sharper eye. These Hogwarts players were better than she had originally thought. The rest of the game went well. She had only let one slip through when the whistle blew. Harry had caught the Snitch. Swooping down, she smiled at him.

Out of boredom, Cass decided to watch the other games. By the end of the morning, she felt sure enough of her position on the team.

"Great show, everybody. Results should be posted by Tuesday. All right. Everyone back to the school!" Alicia blew her whistle.

"Maybe your sister isn't that bad..." Ron saddled up beside Cass and threw his arm over her shoulder. "Anyone who belts Draco can't be all bad." He smiled and mumbled, "Bloody brilliant."

Cass jerked with surprise. "Ron, what time is it?"

"Ummm...a quarter past one."

"Harry!" Cass yelled. "The Defense tryouts!"

Harry's eyes widened. "They started over an hour ago!"

Cass broke into a run. "Come on!" Harry bolted up after her.

A couple of minutes later they reached Professor Rhodes's room, panting and huffing. Sitting at her desk, Rhodes turned. "I was wondering if you would come." She motioned around the empty room. "As you can tell, you're a bit late."

"But Professor, we were at Quidditch tryouts!" Harry protested. "We lost track of time!"

Rhodes smiled and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I would give you another shot but, after talking with the headmaster, I'll have to go back on those spots for fifth years." She shook her head again. "Even for my two best students. Good afternoon, Harry, Cassandra." She turned back to her desk.

Cass turned away, biting her lip. She had really wanted in this thing. Defense was about the only thing that she was good at. Not only did she enjoy, but she was better at it than Draco. One of her favorite past times was threatening an arrogant cousin of hers with curses he couldn't perform.

"She just called us her two best students." Cass mumbled. "And Dumbledore won't let us join..." she sighed. "Well there's still Quidditch."

"Oh, you made it by the way. That performance was fantastic. Better than Wood was."

"Who?"

"Our old captain. He's already graduated. Cass," Harry stopped. "I need to ask you something." Putting his arm around her back, which both shocked and thrilled Cass, Harry led her into an empty classroom. "Are you going to the Halloween ball?"

Cass coughed. He's going to ask me to go with him!! She nodded warily.

"Well," Harry struggled to continue. "I thought maybe you could go....with....me..." Seeing the nervous look in Cass's eyes he added, "As friends! See, Ron and Hermione are going...as friends...So, I thought if we went together....as friends....the four of us could go as a group....of friends." He finished nervously.

"Harry," Cass squeaked. "My father..." Already wants to grind my bones into dust. She thought to herself. What more can he do?"

"Oh, well, yes....I, I understand."

"Wait. Okay, Harry. Yes...I'll go with you. As a friend! This is no date!"

"No! No, of course not! That would be...."

"Awkward."

"Yes. Yes.....very awkward."

They sat quietly for a moment. Fidgeting, Harry stood up. "I'm going to go get some lunch."

"Good," Cass stood up. "I'm heading back to the common room." She smiled. "See you later."

Harry nodded and left. Cass slowly navigated her way back to the Gryffindor Tower. Seared into her mind were those enchanting green eyes.....of a friend.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So, how did it go yesterday?" Artemis asked Cass. It was Monday morning, just before DADA. Cass had just sat down at her desk when Artemis walked up.

"Quidditch went great, but results aren't posted yet. Oh, Ron wanted me to pass on his appreciation of your mistaking Draco's head as a Bludger."

"Mistake? There was no mistake." Artemis smiled.

"That's what I told him. Why did you bop him like that?"

"He was explaining why I should stay back and follow his orders during the game."

"You think you're going to get on the team after belting him like that?"

"If you had seen the 'competition' you wouldn't be asking me that. Besides, doesn't that prove how great of an arm I have?"

"Aaahh." Cass smiled.

Artemis nodded. "And how did your Defense tryouts go?"

Cass shrugged. "Professor Rhodes said Dumbledore wouldn't let fifth years on. But it's all right. How was your date yesterday?"

Artemis opened her mouth to answer, but just then Professor Rhodes rushed into the room. "Take your seats everyone. Come on, come on. I think you might enjoy this lesson today. Everyone turn to page 971 in your books."

Before Cass could stop it, her book floated up onto the desk and opened right up to page 971. She glanced around nervously. Rhodes shot her a knowledgeable look. It was getting harder to control-whatever it was. This was the second incident in this class. She met Rhodes with a strange gaze. The chapter was titled 'The Rise of Lord Voldemort'.

"These books were made too long ago to have a chapter discussing the return of Voldemort." Every Gryffindor --except Cass and Harry- jerked at the name. Most of the Slytherins remained motionless. Rhodes sighed. "Fear of his name is one of many tactics Voldemort uses to scare common people. We cannot fear his name."

"Voldemort was born as Tom Marvolo Riddle and attended Hogwarts a member of the Slytherin house."

"Of course..." Harry mumbled. Cass shoved her elbow into his side.

"It is believed," Rhodes continued. "Riddle's hatred of his Muggle father was the spark that began his rampage against Muggles and Muggle-born wizards. His rise and reign was marked by the deaths of thousands. You are too young to know the terror brought by Voldemort's reign. Suspicions ran hot between all. Death Eaters seemed to be the only form of government." She shook her head. "Of course, we all know how the terror was ended." Looking at Harry, Rhodes sighed. "But few know of Voldemort's return. Of his recent return to power."

Whispers ran through the class. Harry looked at Cass. Stuttering, he mumbled, "Did-did your father....tell you everything about...that night?"

Cass nodded gravely. "As much as I needed-and wanted-to know. And yes, Lucius told Draco as well. I imagine every devout follower of Voldemort's told their children about such a crucial victory."

Suddenly, the door burst open, creaking on its hinges. In slunk Lucius Malfoy, followed by a reluctant Dumbledore.

"Stop this lesson immediately." Lucius snarled in a low tone. Professor Rhodes turned. The hatred glowering in her eyes was completely unmasked. "Get out of my classroom."

Lucius eye's narrowed. "Hello, Miss Rhodes. The concerned parents of these impressionable students have informed myself and other governors of your so called teaching material. Nothing further of this rumor shall be discussed in this school."

"Rumor?" Rhodes eyes blazed. "How dare you?! Coming into MY class and preceding to tell me I can't...."

"That is enough, Elizabeth." Dumbledore interrupted smoothly. Lucius shot a proud look towards the Slytherin side of the room and swept out the door. Professor Rhodes chased furiously after him.

"Why would Voldemort send his Death Eaters to cover up the truth?" Harry whispered. "I thought he liked the fear of the public...the confusion and worry."

Cass shook her head. "The public wants to deny it...so he'll make sure they do. The ignorance of the public and the idiocy of the Ministry will allow for more attacks...with less retaliation. Voldemort is not stupid."

Dumbledore turned and looked at the class. "Dismissed." Cass gathered her books and rose. "Artemis, Cassandra." Cass looked up. Artemis stopped beside her.

"I wish to speak to you in my office. I shall escort you now, once I find Professor Rhodes." He motioned back over his shoulder.

"But Professor, I have Herbolgy now."

"I'll have to skip Care of Magical Creatures."

Behind Dumbledore, the door opened and Professor Rhodes stormed in. Huffing she glared at the headmaster. "I hate that man, I really do. I hope I'm there the day he..." Looking down, she winced. "Sorry, girls."

"Elizabeth, you have a class next, correct?" Dumbledore soothed.

Rhodes nodded. "Although after that man and his....request I have no idea what I am going to teach!"

"Artemis, Cassandra, after your next class you will report to Professor McGonagall's office. She will escort you to mine." Dumbledore turned. "Elizabeth, please inform Severus and Minerva of our meeting with these girls." He grew grave. "It is time they were told."

Cass shot a confused look at Artemis as they walked out of the Defense classroom. "That was strange." she mumbled. "What on earth are they going to tell us about?"

"Something that Snape knows about, so nothing good I'll warrant." Artemis said with spite. She had a strange look in her eyes. Cass nodded in agreement. "And to talk about your Draco attack yesterday, no doubt."

"Good luck in Hagrid's class. Don't know why you signed up for that goon's class." Artemis snickered. "Meet you in McGonagall's class. If you survive." She left.

Cass rolled her eyes. Care of Magical Creatures had sort of grown on her, although, yes, it could be quite terrifying. She glanced around the grass around Hagrid's hut that served as a classroom and found Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She hurried over to them.

"We were wondering were you were!" Hermione welcomed her over. "What did Professor Dumbledore want?"

Cass shook her head. "I have to go to some meeting after class. Probably nothing important." Then why do you seem so nervous, Cass?

"You know, this year has been rather uneventful. No three headed dogs or basilisks. No evil plots to kill Harry. Of course, it's only October." Ron rambled.

"Basilisks?" Cass stared at him. "There was a basilisk in the school?"

Harry nodded. "It was released from the Chamber of Secrets. Traveled through the pipes and petrified a lot of Muggle born students." He looked at Hermione.

"Wow." Cass mumbled. Suddenly daily life at Durmstrang seemed rather dull.

"All right now!" Hagrid came in huffing. "Settle down now, settle down." He looked around excitedly at his students. "Today's lesson was prepared with this class in mind. I warrant you'll right enjoy this subject. It's not in yer books." He turned around and motioned to someone behind his cabin. "So I had ter bring one up to the school. Meet Peregrine."

Cass gasped as a humongous creature with the head and wings of an eagle and a body of a lion marched gracefully into view. "A gryphon!" she whispered. Hagrid beamed proudly.

"Right you are, Cass. This is Peregrine. I bought her all the way from India!"

"Legally, I hope," Hermione whispered to Ron. Cass shot them a confused look. "Later," Ron mumbled.

"Gryphon's have always been symbols of strength, vigilance, retribution, and wisdom. The gryphon's cousin, the hippogriff has become a symbol of love. You'll all remember our lesson on hippogriffs .Another cousin to the gryphon is the lupogriff, which have canine parts instead of the body of a lion. They're a bit harder ter track down, I'm afraid."

Harry smiled. "Coming from Hagrid, that's amazing. I'll bet the lupogriffs are next to impossible to catch."

"The talons of the gryphon detect poisons in liquids and its feathers can cure blindness. Gryphon nests are made of gold and their eggs are made out of agate. The gryphon has the speed, flight, and penetrating vision of the eagle and the courage, strength, and majesty of the lion. The gryphon combines the qualities of the lord of the air and the king of the beasts on the ground. And it's also the mascot of Gryffindor. You know, in Gryffindor you'll find the brave and true...well, the bravery and courage of a gryphon is the best yer going ter find. "

Cass could picture Draco snorting. She knew him far too well.

"The strength of a gryphon is twice that of what it looks. Gryphons are one of the few beasts even dragons don't want ter fight. But, unlike the hippogriff, gryphons are much easier ter get along with. Unless you offend them, of course. Never offend a gryphon." Hagrid warned. "Now, who wants ter come meet Peregrine?" Cass smiled as most of the class drew back. She eagerly raised her hand. Such a magnificent creature....

"Excellent!! A volunteer!" Hagrid seemed overjoyed. Ron hissed over at Cass. "Are you daft? You'll end up with only one arm!" Cass shook her head and stood up.

"Okay, now, Cass, yer want ter approach her with calm slow steps. Don't run up ter her. All right, good, good. Now, stop. Let her come the rest of the way ter you."

Cass stopped, her heart pounding. This creature was huge! She had a sudden thought of it's gigantic beak, coming down and ripping her to shreds. Closing her eyes and slowing her breath, Cass smiled again as the gryphon nudged her cheek with its beak.

"Yes!" Hagrid jumped up and down. "Yes! Very good, Cass, she likes you. Now, another major difference between hippogriffs and gryphons is gryphons don't like ter take passengers. They seem to find it offensive...so don't ever try to ride a gryphon. All right, come on. She's now going to hurt you!" Slowly and cautiously, students filed out of their seats to come meet the radiant gryphon, which seemed to actually be enjoying the attention. The class flew by as Cass watched the gryphon react with the other students.

Hagrid smiled radiantly as he concluded his successful lesson. "Now, by our next meeting I want on roll of parchment on the myths and history surrounding gryphons. See yer next week!"

He smiled at Cass again. "Excellent, excellent. Wasn't sure anyone would volunteer there...Peregrine can be kinda scary at times. What did you think about her?"

Cass shook her head. "We never did anything like this at Durmstrang. This is amazing, Hagrid. Absolutely wonderful."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked up. "I did just happen to notice none of you three has ever volunteered for my classes," Hagrid laughed. "You could learn a lot from Miss Malfoy here."

Cass laughed too. "I got to go," she giggled. "Wanna walk with me up to McGonagall's office?"

Harry nodded and the four of them set off towards the school. Cass felt happier than she had ever been. School was great, she actually had friends, and she and Artemis had had their big sister to sister talk. Everything was great.

"I am dying for Quidditch results to be posted." Harry muttered. "They take entirely too long."

"What are you being impatient for? You know you made it." Hermione fussed.

Harry smiled sheepishly. "I wanna know who I'm playing with. And against. Think your sister will make the Slytherin team, Cass?"

Cass shrugged her shoulders. "She had no competition she said, but here, she's bashed Draco's head in. So I'm not sure. I'm not so sure about myself either."

"What? A complement? You saying we have good players, Malfoy?" Ron joked.

"Most definitely. This one girl about killed me on my broom. She was a great Chaser."

"Probably Katie Bell. She's fantastic."

Cass nodded. "I'll see you guys at lunch, okay?" Cass waved and turned left down a hall while the others went right. She entered into McGonagall's office to find Artemis already waiting on her. Without hesitation, McGonagall stood and led them out the door. Somehow, the professor's manner managed to deflate the happy bubble of energy Cass had moments before.

Walking silently down the hall, Cass shot worried looks at Artemis. She too, looked as if this meeting had taken all the life out of her. This cannot be good, Cass thought to herself as the three of them stopped in front of a large statue. "Licorice twist." McGonagall whispered.

Cass watched in amazement as the stairway grew out of the statue. She had never considered where Dumbledore's office was, but now the abnormal amount of pictures lining the Hogwarts hall seemed understandable. No doubt the professors lived behind them.

McGonagall lead Cass and Artemis up the stairs to a large wooden door. Without knocking, the professor hustled inside. Cass looked around the spacious yet cluttered room. A clustered book shelf lined the right wall. Above the shelf more pictures gazed down at the twins. Cass guessed they were former headmasters. They looked down with nervous and wary glances. Cass felt shivers run down her back.

Behind an oversized mahogany desk sat Professor Dumbledore. Beside him stood Professors Snape and Rhodes, soon joined by McGonagall. The expressions on there faces only intensified the edgy aura in the room.

Dumbledore motioned to two straight-backed wooden chairs positioned in front of the desk. Cass sat but refused to relax. Snape's unwavering stare made her want to run back down the stairs. Calming herself, she met his eyes with a typical Malfoy glint. One of the few beneficial lessons her father had taught her was keeping fear inside.

"What you are about to hear is of the utmost importance. Nothing said can leave this room." Dumbledore looked pointedly at both girls. "Your very lives depend on it." He nodded. "Elizabeth?"

Professor Rhodes stepped forward. "A prophecy has been found, girls, concerning you two." Picking up a piece of parchment, she read, "A path to immortality blocked. A snake turned free and enemies to stone. A Grim escapes from the realm of the soulless. The Dark Lord rises through the blood of the young. Soon come two who hold the fate of all. Pureblood of a family loyal to Slytherins's heir. Alike in the flesh, opposed in the spirit. A serpent with a hidden form, a lion who fights unaided. Forced to fight their own blood. One last meeting and blood will flow. Only one will survive, one side prevail. And the fates of all determined. "

Cass was stunned. She looked at Artemis, who leaned back in her chair, a skeptical look on her face. Cass looked back down at the floor. "How do you know this is talking about us?"

"It's obvious, is it not?" Snape snarled. "Pureblood loyal to Slytherins's heir. Alike in the flesh? Obviously Malfoy twins. The Dark Lord has his eyes on both of you. It was realized these twins would be Hogwarts students." He smirked. "Mulcifer was terrified at the prospect of having a Gryffindor in the family."

Cass glared at Snape. Did Dumbledore not realize there was a Death Eater teaching Potions? She knew the headmaster was up there in years, but was he that naive? Snape's last sentence rang in Cass's head. She hadn't given any thought to what her father had been put through after her Gryffindor sorting. What did Voldemort do to him? Or was he so confident that he saw no threat in some 15 year old Gryffindork?

"When we were informed of your transfer, the Order didn't think much of it. A Malfoy in Gryffindor seemed impossible. But then we were proven wrong."

"We realized at the Sorting we would have to watch you two. A serpent with a hidden form seemed easy enough." Dumbledore continued. "We checked the registry and found out Artemis was an Animagus." She stopped, a slight smile playing at his lips. "But a lion who fights unaided was not as clear. It was Professor Rhodes who first realized it."

Rhodes nodded. "And I believe Cassandra knows what it means as well." She knelt down beside Cass.

Cass turned. Looking from Artemis to Rhodes, she nodded slowly. "I think....what is it?"

"In essence, wandless magic. You'll need training of course. I can tell you aren't capable of controlling it. Am I right?" she smiled. Cass nodded. Apparently, her little levitations in DADA had not gone unnoticed. "You shall have training, I guarantee it. Although I do not know who from." She concluded, frowning.

Cass looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean 'who from'? How are we just randomly going to kill each other? If we supposed to be opposing...." Cass wasn't sure she wanted the answer.

"The prophecy said forced to fight." McGonagall said. "Which ever one of you Voldemort gets will, we assume, be under the Imperious Curse. But Professor Snape and I have taken every precaution for your protection."

"Protection?!" Artemis jumped out of her chair. "Are you simply going to let Voldemort sneak one of us off campus? What measures can you take against Voldemort?! There's so many ways he could....or his followers....even other Slytherins!" she hissed. "Voldemort could easily...employ one of my room mates! What measures do you have to prevent that?"

"Every measure has been taken." Dumbledore soothed. "Voldemort will not be getting either of you easily."

"But he will still get one of us." Cass growled.

"Do you have any more questions?" Dumbledore conveniently seemed to have not heard that last remark.

Cass bit her lips. "Not that it seems consequential, but what about the beginning of the prophecy. With the snake and Grim and all that?"

"Establishing a time line." McGonagall said. "The four events described in the prophecy have all occurred in the last four years. The events," she huffed, seeing the girl's expressions. "are not important."

Cass shrugged. No problem, she could find out the events herself. She guessed the first line about immortality had something to do with Voldemort and the Sorcerers Stone. Idiotic professors. Lucius and her father had told Artemis, Ares, Draco, and her enough vague details to understand what was going on. Harry had already told her about the basilisk. She could probably bribe some more out of him. With a little bit of probing Cass could find the meaning behind those other two years.

"So.....how exactly is this prophecy outlining the future?"

Dumbledore adjusted his glasses and spoke. "One of you will be trained by the Order of the Phoenix, the other by Voldemort. In a battle, you will fight. One of you will kill the other. The victor is said to be a sign of which side will win this war."

"The war between Harry and Voldemort." Cass mumbled to herself.

"And if we don't fight each other?"

"It is getting late." Dumbledore stood, ignoring Artemis's last comment. "Go now and rest. I shall have lunch brought to your common rooms. Professors McGonagall and Snape shall answer any more of your questions." He nodded them a farewell.

"The nerve of them all!" Artemis hissed once they were out in the hall. "Telling us we have to fight to the death then shooing us off to bed!" She glimpsed at Cass with a knowing look in her eyes. "The only thing standing between the Imperious and me is the protection of a traitorous Death Eater." She waved her fists in anger.

Cass said nothing. It was all still sinking in. She was surprised Artemis hadn't opened her mouth and demanded from Dumbledore an explanation of why he trusted this Death Eater. She nodded a goodbye as Artemis split off towards the Slytherin common room. Are our lives going to split apart like these corridors?

She walked into a mostly empty common room. It was still lunch time. Glancing at the bulletin board, she noticed a new message. It was the Quidditch results. She had made Keeper. She knew soon enough the common room would be swarming with happy and disappointed Gryffindors. Congratulations and consolations would be traded, but somehow it seemed worthless, inconsequential news.

Sinking into a lonely chair by the fireplace, Cass closed her eyes. The fire crackled warm and friendly beside her. She remembered back to the first days of Hogwarts. All she had wanted to do was to survive Draco and Care of Magical Creatures. Now she had to fear for her and her sister's life. Why is everything so complicated?