Sacrifice of the Mass

The stone walls of the historic Riddle house shook around Cassie and Lucius. Panicked shouting could be heard from the Death Eaters a floor below them. The blond wizard had stepped away from the window and drawn his wand, now frozen in his internal dilemma.

His niece seemed to read his thoughts. "If you don't obstruct my escape, you can leave here unscathed," she told him.

"Do not presume I would do something so idiotic!"

"You are outnumbered three to one." Cassie stepped closer to Lucius. He pointed his wand at her chest.

"Stand down, girl!" he snarled. She stared up at him, unfazed by his hysteria.

"My father is not on the grounds. I assume Crouch is with him. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that puts you in charge." Lucius blinked, the weight of their predicament hitting him. "What will you do?" He jabbed the tip of his wand just below her collarbone. Even under the threat of being hexed, she stared up at her uncle, unflinching as he dug the wand into her flesh harder. She might be weak and unarmed, but she could count on Lucius to follow his usual instincts. Above all else, he valued self-preservation.

On the grounds below, Romily led the attack. The Saints had shattered the wards protecting the manor, simultaneously knocking down most of the north wall on the main floor. The Death Eaters were retreating deeper into the house, firing curses that lit up the dark grounds like fireworks.

A crackling, white-hot beam shot past Romily's ear, barely missing her face. Sirius made a mental note to seek vengeance on the wizard who had fired the spell, an unmasked bald man with a crooked nose. He would take pleasure in beating the unsightly man to a pulp if given the chance.

"We must get to the second floor!" Romily reminded her comrades as they pushed closer to the damaged building. Stellan had told her where Cassie was being held, of how many Death Eaters had been rotating in and out, of the Dark Lord's routine. He was in Mag Itha meeting with the Fomorians, allies from the previous war. It had been the perfect opportunity for the Saints to strike.

Diolinda stepped over rubble and into the dusty drawing room. She blocked a stunning spell aimed at her and shot a counter-curse, hitting Linwood Travers square in the chest. He whimpered as he crumpled to the floor.

Sirius grunted in pain when Balfour Bulstrode hit his arm with an ill-aimed flame hex. Khristina stopped to heal his burned flesh while Romily barreled into the room after the large wizard.

"Mily!" Sirius shouted after her, wincing when Khristina yanked his arm to keep him in place.

"She can take care of herself," she reminded him.

Sirius was muttering something about stubborn bloody witches being the death of him as Master Machado stepped into the room behind them. He had ensured that the Death Eaters on the grounds had been subdued before entering the manor, leaving the rest of the Saints to stand guard. The enemy would have the advantage once they were in this unfamiliar, enclosed space. More wands would do little to help them.

"There are not nearly as many wizards as we were expecting," Martese noted.

"Are you complaining?" Romily spat blood as she returned to Sirius's side. She had successfully stunned Bulstrode and left him lying on the hard stone floor.

"Not complaining. But I fear it is too easy," said Martese. "We must get Cassiopeia and leave."

"That is the plan, is it not?" Romily said, throwing up her hands. She stepped onto the grand staircase when two figures appeared at the top.

"Back up," commanded Lucius. His arm was wrapped tightly around Cassie's chest, pushing her forward with his wand pointed at her jugular.

"You slimy bastard!" Sirius hissed, aiming his wand at the blond wizard. Romily backed away from the staircase, sneering at Lucius as she did.

"You would be wise to choose your next words carefully," Lucius drawled, silver eyes sparkling as he eyed the ex-Azkaban resident.

"Or what? You'll kill her?" Sirius challenged. "Do you think you'll get out of here alive if you do?"

"Sirius, please," Cassie breathed.

"What do you want?" Romily snarled at Lucius.

Lucius remained silent, giving Cassie the chance to study her friends. Sirius and Romily were understandably enraged, but Martese and Diolinda were calm. They watched her, waiting for the next move so they could react accordingly. She hoped they would respond to her benefit.

Cassie took a deep breath and tapped on the arm that wrapped around her. Lucius slowly released his hold. She stayed in front of him, hoping that no one would curse him while she was still in such close proximity.

If they had not been in such a tense situation, Cassie might have been able to appreciate that her former master had come across the ocean to her aid. She hadn't seen him in ages. He had a few more grey hairs and the wrinkles surrounding his warm brown eyes were more pronounced. Everything else about him screamed amity.

"Diolinda," said Cassie, "I want you to put a disillusionment charm on Lucius." Romily was by far the most skilled at charms, but she didn't trust her to do as she asked at the moment.

Diolinda nodded, then ascended the staircase. Romily was obviously taken aback.

"Cassie - "

"Martese," said Cassie, ignoring Romily's interjection, "if you and Diolinda could be so kind as to escort Lucius to the edge of the property."

Master Machado bowed slightly. "Anything you require, dear Cassiopeia."

Cassie stayed at her uncle's side as Diolinda waved her wand over him. He disappeared into their surroundings and then Diolinda followed the invisible man down the stairs. She didn't acknowledge Romily and Sirius's angry words until the other three had left the house. Inhaling deeply, she willed what little strength she had to get her through whatever was going to happen next.

"Lucius is a skilled duelist," Cassie said, interrupting the spew of words coming at her as she reached the first floor.

"That wouldn't have been a problem!" growled Romily.

"He told me where my wand is," she countered quietly. "I owed him safe passage."

"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard - "

"You pledged to follow my commands," Cassie snapped at the brunette witch. "Either follow them or leave!"

"Whoa, hey - " Sirius started, but Cassie rounded on him.

"The same goes for you, Sirius," she hissed. "We need to get out of here before my father returns! Do you think arguing about my decision is going to make that a quicker process?"

Romily swallowed thickly as Sirius looked her over. "I apologize," she said quietly. "Where is your wand?"

"The graveyard."

Sirius circled his arm around Cassie, keeping her from losing her balance as they stepped over unconscious Death Eaters. Romily kept her wand at the ready as they reached the grounds.

Her Saints were eager to see her. She could make out the outline of numerous hooded figures, their heads bowed as they sank to the ground. "Stand, stand," she said, motioning for them to get to their feet. "You need to be ready." Many murmured their thoughts of admiration as she stumbled past with Sirius's help. A few reached out for her hand and she gripped them in gratitude. She hoped they could fetch her wand and get them all away from the Riddle estate as quickly as possible.

Cassie, Sirius, and Romily reached the Riddle tombstones. Diolinda and Martese, having ensured that Lucius made it to safety, spared little effort catching up to them. "Where is it?" asked Romily.

Cassie held out her hand. With her eyes closed, she felt for the hum of the silver barrigona wand. Her spine tingled and her outstretched fingers twitched and the cold night air grew overbearingly quiet. Inhuman hisses erupted from Thomas Riddle Junior's tombstone.

"Was that Parseltongue?" Romily asked.

"No."

"Cassie, are you alright?" asked Sirius. He steadied his cousin as she wavered where she stood. "Yes," she muttered, "It's just..." She couldn't speak anymore. An excruciating headache had stolen her ability to form words.

"Mors mercatura," Martese murmured. "A death contract." Cassie nodded.

"What does that mean?" Sirius demanded.

"Unless Lord Voldemort retrieves her wand, the only other option is for someone to sacrifice their life," said Martese.

The throbbing pain in Cassie's head was swiftly subsiding. She was able to stand without Sirius's help and opened her eyes, just in time to see the dagger in Diolinda's grip. "It will be the highest honor," the witch declared.

"Diolinda, no!" Cassie gripped Diolinda's wrists, her blue eyes wide as she locked eyes with her subject. "You will not sacrifice yourself for my wand!"

"You need it," she said simply.

"No!"

Diolinda cocked her head slightly. Cassie could see that the older witch disagreed with her command, but unlike Romily, was unwilling to protest. "As you wish, Lady Black." The dagger disintegrated into the cold night air.

Romily opened her mouth. Her words were drowned out by loud cracks and pops at the edge of the estate. Cassie locked eyes with her friend, desperation flooding her senses as she hoped with everything in her that seeking her wand hadn't been a crucial mistake.

"Cassie - " started Romily, but Cassie cut her off.

"My wand is lost!" she snapped. "Get everyone out of here!"

Romily cast the Sonorous charm at her throat. "Lady Black has given the command to retreat! Get to the edge of the property safely!"

The witches and wizards started to run. They didn't get far before spells were exchanged. The screams and flashes of light started up again.

"You will not leave my side," Romily snarled at Cassie, gripping her wrist as she pulled her along. "I need you to stand, just a little while longer!"

A masked Death Eater shot a Cruciatus Curse at them. Romily pulled them to the ground and out of the way. Sirius hurtled over them, hitting his adversary with a stunning spell so hard that he flew ten feet backward into the snow. Martese and Diolinda flanked the trio, defeating the newly arrived Death Eaters with little effort. They had nearly reached the gates. They would be ready to Apparate, but Cassie couldn't just leave everyone else, not when she wasn't sure they would be safe -

The grounds of Riddle estate lit up bright red. Shrieks of pain rang out all around her and there was no mistaking that the curse had been cast by Lord Voldemort. Cassie had witnessed its devastation countless times in her childhood. Now that he was here, it was inevitable that her followers would die.

She had to fight. She was the only one who could challenge him, the only one that rivaled his raw power, and she was useless. She was helpless. She was nothing. She could only hide behind the witches and wizards that guarded her as she ran for safety, and she loathed herself. She should be punished. She should be maimed. She deserved nothing less than what her followers were being subjected to in her name.

Dashiell fell to the ground, a lifeless heap at her father's feet. Voldemort spun on his heel, disappearing with a loud crack. He reappeared in front of Sirius and Cassie, his skin glowing against the night sky and his red eyes bright like rejuvenated blood.

"Insolent, ungracious, wretched daughter of mine," seethed the Dark Lord. The words fell from his snake-like tongue almost like it was poetry. His wand drifted from Cassie to Sirius, and with a swift flick, her cousin was screaming and writhing on the ground. There was a loud crunch of breaking bone, the telltale sign that he was performing the Contractura hex, about to twist Sirius's spine into a corkscrew. Cassie charged. She barreled into her father, knocking him off balance, and the two fell onto the hard, frozen ground.

She managed to grip his left wrist and he yelped as she burned him. She tried to pull his wand away but his grip was much stronger than hers. She resorted to clawing at his face, her nails digging into white flesh like she was a rabid animal hellbent on ripping off his face. This distracted him for several moments. His blood dripped down her fingers before his spell blasted her away from him. She landed hard, the wind knocked out of her as her father stood once again.

His laugh of amusement was high and cruel. The sight of his malicious eyes and bleeding face only terrorized Cassie more, but not because of what he would do to her. Sirius, immobilized by the start of the Contractura hex, was still lying on the ground. Romily was crouched over him, wand drawn, ready to defend him from the Dark Lord however she could.

Voldemort raised his wand at the couple. A blast of blue hit him in the gut and he folded over, if only temporarily. Martese stood, ready to fire another spell, his eyes fixed on the Dark Lord as he spoke.

"Go, all of you!" he commanded.

"Martese - " Cassie began to protest.

"Go!"

She chose to obey her former master. She managed to crawl to Sirius's side, hardly much help as she and Romily hoisted him to his feet. They barely missed being hit by a stray curse that bounced from Martese's shield. Diolinda, now free from a duel she had barely won, sprinted to their side.

Cassie craned her neck to the side, watching in desperation as Martese managed to hold her father off. He was firing spell after spell at the Dark Lord, distracting his devastating curses with a forced defense if nothing else. The witches dragged a whimpering Sirius through the gates, now at the point of Apparition. A silence fell among the four of them as they watched Martese fight Lord Voldemort from hundreds of feet away.

Martese caught him in the leg with a cleaving hex. The snow was painted with the Dark Lord's blood and beside Cassie, Romily cheered. Martese blocked Voldemort's white-hot electrical current, sending another hex his way. This one slashed him near his clavicle and the Dark Lord fell to his knees.

Cassie held her breath in anticipation. Romily stirred beside her. "Oh, he's going to get him!"

Romily stepped away from the group. Sirius gripped her robes in desperation, trying to pull her back to him. He shook his head at his girlfriend frantically.

Two Death Eaters had sprinted to their master's aid. One came up behind Martese, disarming him. It was easy to do, with his focus on Lord Voldemort and nothing else. He forced him to his knees. The other Death Eater had stopped Voldemort's bleeding and helped him back to his feet.

"We need to go," Diolinda said gently.

"No!" sobbed Romily. "We can't leave him!"

Cassie glanced at Diolinda and nodded. They linked arms, sure to have a hold on Romily as she cried for her former master.

The curse that had been interrupted on Sirius resumed with Martese. The last thing Cassie saw before she Disapparated was the familiar rotation of her father's wrist. It forced her former master's spine to spiral and shatter. She would never forget his screams that followed them into the void.

------~~**-------~~**-----------

"We are not telling Fudge that she's back! That is one of the most asinine ideas - "

"Would you rather he finds out that we kept it from him? You know how paranoid he's become since the Creevey boy was killed!"

"So we should just hand her over, then? Is that your plan?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then what exactly are you expecting to happen? Fudge wants to arrest her, and I'll be damned if I'll let them take her to Azkaban after everything she's been through!"

Cassie, who had woken to an argument happening right next to her hospital bed, rolled over. There was loud shushing when McGonagall and Lupin noticed her movements. "Cassie, dear, how are you feeling?" the Head of Gryffindor asked, her hand running over Cassie's forehead as she fussed.

"I've been better," Cassie admitted. "Where is Severus?"

"He and Poppy are preparing his quarters for you. He insisted that you recover there, the stubborn man."

Cassie managed a small smile. "Thank Merlin. I can't afford to be woken by you every few minutes."

McGonagall scowled down at her. "I'm only looking out for your well-being, young lady!"

"How's Sirius?" asked Cassie, looking over at the bed next to hers. Her cousin was asleep, that much she could tell. At least he didn't seem to be in pain.

"Madam Pomfrey mended the broken vertebra in his back. He's going to be fine," said Lupin, giving Cassie what was probably supposed to be a reassuring smile. Instead, he just looked sad.

Cassie leaned back on her pillow. She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but her body wanted more. Her muscles were aching and even now she was fighting to keep her eyes open. "I need to speak to Romily."

Lupin and McGonagall exchanged a knowing glance. McGonagall said, "She requested to be left alone for the time being. To process Master Machado's..."

"Grisly murder. Got it," Cassie snapped. Her colleagues flinched at her harsh choice of words. "Then I need Diolinda."

"Cassie, don't you think you should rest?" Lupin suggested gently.

"I don't need rest," Cassie said, swinging her legs to the edge of the bed. "I need to be debriefed. I need to know how many of my followers have been killed, how many are recovering - "

"You can't help any of that right now, not in this state - " McGonagall argued, flinging the blanket back over the younger witch's legs.

"Stop your coddling!" said Cassie, pulling the blankets off again. She stood, holding onto the headboard and testing out her wobbly legs when Severus walked through the double doors. The school nurse wasn't far behind him.

"Who said you could get out of bed?" he snarled, sounding just as frustrated as she felt.

"I don't need your permission," she snapped back. He was on her in a split second, his hands on her shoulders so he could push her back into the bed. "Severus, get off me!"

"You need to rest!"

"No, I don't! I need information!" she shouted at him. "I need to know what happened! People died for me, Severus, I can't just lay here and be waited on!" The double doors opened again. Dumbledore and Tonks crossed the threshold, their presence barely noticed as Cassie began to sob. Severus pulled her into his arms and the witch cried harder. "Let me go! Severus, let me go!"

After Poppy looked over Cassie one last time, Tonks helped Severus move the patient to the dungeons. The school nurse had other things to tend to in the hospital wing, after all. Sirius would need pain elixirs every few hours.

The young Auror stayed in the Potions Master's sitting room as Cassie was settled into bed. She poured herself a glass of whiskey while she waited for Severus to emerge from the bedroom. When he did, the first thing he did was sigh in annoyance when he noticed the drink in her hand.

Tonks lifted it and winked. "What's yours is mine, my soon-to-be cousin."

Severus snorted. "I doubt it. The wedding will be the last thing on her mind."

"Don't be so sure," Tonks said, sipping the whiskey. "We all could use something cheerful about now. Although I don't think I'm bridesmaid-ready," she said darkly, pulling on her dull brown hair. She had been unable to transform any part of herself since coming out of the Imperius Curse, a side effect of her PTSD. Severus didn't know the details of her horrors. All he was certain of was that she had suffered at the hands of Ansel Vingativo and Barty Crouch.

At the reminder, Severus found himself needing a drink, too. He poured himself two fingers of whiskey and settled on the opposite side of the couch.

"I suppose you'll be reporting her return to the minister," he said softly.

"Don't need to," said Tonks. "Fudge's no longer convinced of her involvement in Creevey's death."

"Would I be correct in assuming you told him the truth in the matter?"

Tonks huffed. "Fudge doesn't listen to me. I'm a hired wand, is all."

"Then why the change of heart?"

"Lucius Malfoy provided an alibi all of a sudden," said Tonks. Severus paused mid-drink to stare at her. "Why would he do that?"

"I have no idea," Severus said truthfully.

"Hmm," said Tonks. "It just seems very odd, coming from Uncle Lucius. They aren't on the best of terms, are they?"

"Not as of late."

Tonks studied him for a moment before finishing her whiskey. "I'm going to say goodnight to her and then I'll be out of your hair. Got an early morning tomorrow."

She had almost reached the bedroom when Severus spoke again. "Remus Lupin."

"The professor?"

"Yes. The Dark Lord has put a bounty on his head."

"Why?"

"He knows Cassie is fond of him," Severus said through gritted teeth. The entire topic set him on edge. "And he is of the...canine persuasion."

"Ah," said Tonks. "I remember hearing about a werewolf professor. I guess I didn't put it together. Don't worry, we'll put him in the rotation," she said with a wink. She slipped into the bedroom to say goodnight to his fiancee. He sat down to finish his whiskey, then swiftly poured another one.

Severus did not allow Diolinda to visit the castle for two more days. In that time, he had given Cassie blood replenishment around the clock. He was sure she would never want to look at red meat again, with the amount he had coaxed her into eating. But no amount of elixirs, rest, or food would mentally prepare her for what news Diolinda would bring.

Cassie gave the older witch tea as they sat across from each other. Flames crackled to life in the fireplace and Severus sat near his beloved, ensuring his thigh was touching hers. He hoped his physical presence would offer her even a minuscule amount of comfort.

"How many?" Cassie asked quietly.

"Seventeen," said Diolinda. "Most of them killed by the Dark Lord."

Cassie's blue eyes remained dry. Severus supposed she had nearly run out of tears in the last few days. "Their loved ones must be informed."

"Of course," Diolinda said. She fidgeted with her hands and Cassie knew there was more the witch wanted to say. They both knew the details surrounding the murders would be kept between a select few people. Their friends and families would grieve the lack of answers as much as their dead kin.

Someday, everything would be exposed. When it was safe.

When Cassie no longer made dire mistakes that failed those who followed her.

"What is it?"

"We were not able to retrieve any of the bodies," Diolinda said, letting out a breath. "There was no time, no opportunity."

"I suppose there wasn't," Cassie said as the horror washed through her. For all she knew, Martese's mangled body was still lying frozen on the grounds. She cleared her throat, at a loss for a solution. She had no wand and no strength. Certainly, none of her followers would be willing to go there and challenge the Death Eaters again. "Kalina Karkaroff? Was she freed?"

Diolinda could not meet her mistress's eyes. "No, my lady."

Severus wrapped his arm around Cassie, giving her shoulder what he hoped would be a reassuring squeeze. She shrugged him off. She didn't deserve his attempts at support, not now. Not when there was so much she had failed at.

The school term continued without its professor's assistant. She was far too busy attending burials, some on opposite ends of the country. She kept a low profile at each one to not pique any curiosity. At Maksim's, she used Polyjuice Potion. Fudge attended, but even after her absolution in Creevey's death, Cassie would rather not face him.

Maksim deserved a proper memorial. Her presence there would only draw attention away from him.

The Brazilian Minister of Magic, Luis da Gama, refused to believe that Martese was dead. Without a body, they could not be sure, he had reiterated to Albus. Twice, Cassie had to forbid Romily from attempting to retrieve his remains from the Riddle estate.

There was no doubt in her mind that her father was keeping Machado's wand as a trophy. She couldn't be sure that he was keeping his rotting corpse as well. If he was, it would be heavily guarded.

Cassie was certain her brunette friend was growing to loathe her. She was unable to meet her gaze in the last few weeks, not that she could blame her. Sirius, although in seemingly good spirits, was still unable to walk. The dark magic that had ripped apart his spinal cord was proving tricky to heal.

Three weeks after being freed from Lord Voldemort's clutches, Cassie felt Stellan's presence in the castle. It had been a dreary April day and the rain had not let up even as night settled over the school grounds. She was almost expecting the summons to the headmaster's office minutes after feeling him. She hadn't seen him since Riddle Manor.

The Potions Master matched her stride, ensuring her healing body didn't falter as they made the journey from the dungeons to the headmaster's gargoyle. Severus had been so eternally patient with her since she had returned to him, broken and emaciated. She spewed countless words begging forgiveness for believing in his betrayal, and yet he did nothing but reassure her that he only loved her more.

Failure. That was all she believed she was capable of now.

"Cassiopeia," Stellan greeted her silkily as the betrothed couple stepped into the headmaster's office. "It's good to see you with rosy cheeks again."

"I will not tolerate your impudence," said Severus coldly, his upper lip curling as he stepped in front of Cassie. "State your purpose."

Stellan clicked his tongue. Albus sat behind his desk, his hands folded neatly under his chin as if he were watching a scene from a play instead of a tense interaction between three very powerful beings. "Not happy to see me, boy?"

"Considering that you are the reason Cassie was imprisoned by the Dark Lord, I don't think it comes as much of a surprise," Severus hissed through gritted teeth.

"A fact that I cannot deny," Stellan said, his tone almost bored as he stepped closer to the couple. Cassie inhaled sharply and Severus, mistaking the noise for unease, pulled her closer to him. "But I am also the reason she was freed."

"You lie," declared Severus. But Cassie's blood bond with the vampire told her otherwise. She locked onto the dark creature's ice-blue eyes and shivered as he stared back intently.

"Sheath your wand," Stellan snarled, his fangs bared as he tore away his gaze from Cassie. Severus only complied after Albus nodded at him gently.

"As you may recall, the majority of magical Britain's vampires were under Lord Voldemort's command during the previous war," the headmaster said matter-of-factly. "That was under the previous elder's leadership, of course."

"So you are intending to reach some sort of understanding. Is that it?" asked Severus.

"No," said Cassie softly, and her fiance looked down at her in confusion. "He's already decided."

The corner of Stellan's mouth curled into a soft, knowing smile as he dropped to his knees. With his towering height, he was at eye level with Cassie as he reached for her hand. "The Gammel Klan, starting tonight, is declared yours."

Stellan lowered his head to his own wrist, but Cassie shook her head in alarm. "But - why?" The ancient vampire paused his movements to study her.

"Would you rather I declare loyalty to your father and his Death Eaters?"

"No, no - of course not, Stellan," Cassie sputtered. "But you're vampires! Powerful creatures in your own right that don't need to involve yourselves in a wizarding war."

Stellan turned to exchange a glance with Albus. The two chuckled simultaneously as Severus glared at them both. "That is where you're wrong, Cassiopeia," Stellan said, "and why I would much rather bind my clan to you."

"But - "

"Did you not endure torture at your father's hands in the name of a werewolf?"

Cassie's breath caught in her throat. "Yes, but - "

"Whether we intend to entangle ourselves in this war or not, it seems that all magical creatures find themselves at the mercy of the wands in some capacity. I left the Dark Lord's mansion to settle the matter with the other leaders. All of them are in agreement." He bent his head again and without Cassie's interruption, opened his vein with his fangs.

Cassie looked to Albus for reassurance as the vampire grasped her wrist next. His blue eyes glittered with an unknown expression as Stellan punctured her flesh for the twentieth time, but this time he did not drink. He pressed his wound to hers. Severus steadied her as warmth spread up her arm and through her chest.

She knew the binding was finished when Stellan stood. He looked her over momentarily before saying, "I regret the loss of your fallen. You must understand that I have the responsibility to do everything in my power to protect my underlings."

Severus had choice words to share as they walked back to the dungeons. Cassie was grateful for his concern and for the strength of the arm that was wrapped around her waist, even if he was walking a bit too quickly in his irritation. If nothing else, she knew she was infinitely blessed to have the wizard to go through this mess with her.

"We can't do any of those things to Stellan," she reminded him. So far, he had listed decapitation, boiling him in holy water, and forcing him to drink Ray of Sunshine elixir. "He has to be kept alive until the Third Task, remember?"

Severus huffed irritably. "After, then."

"More like never. What if the next elder decides to side with my father?"

Vampire blood was a powerful influence on sleep. Cassie fought to dream of anything besides Stellan for nearly half the night before she took a sleeping draught from Severus's stores. Perhaps it was the potion's sedative effects that kept her from hearing the fireplace light up early the next morning.

Severus fished a long, thin package from the pile of used floo powder. He had noticed it while he was moving around the room, getting ready for another long day of teaching.

It contained his fiancee's sparkling white wand. On a small piece of parchment, Dumbledore's familiar, loopy handwriting said, "His sacrifice was enough."