XL

Cassiopeia's heart and head were equally pounding while she walked through the corridors, ignoring how the students around her opened a large space for her to walk by, clearing the way.

She found Draco walking in what looked like the direction of the Great Hall, and didn't waste time before pulling him aside to where there was a tree stump.

"What…"

She continued to guide him until they were alone, and threw the newspaper on his lap before looking around, assuring herself no one was watching them.

"Read the list," she tried to keep her tone calm. "Look at the last person."

Draco complied, and only needed a short glance down before looking up at his sister again.

The memories and photos they had of their aunt Bella showed a woman much more beautiful than what the Daily Prophet was giving them, but she was still the same person.

Bellatrix Lestrange, convicted for the torture and permanent incapacitation of Alice and Frank Longbottom.

Their mother's sister and another nine Death Eaters had escaped Azkaban in a mass breakout.

"Are we supposed to do anything?" her brother whispered. "Are we supposed to say anything?"

You sighed.

"We're teenagers, Draco," she reminded him, rolling her blue eyes. "We just… Wait and see what is gonna happen."

Sirius was right. Cassiopeia couldn't just go home after Hogwarts. Her Aunt Bella loved the Dark Lord above anything and anyone in her life, even more than her life itself, and everyone who didn't align with her was considered an enemy, regardless of being family or not.

Draco tapped his foot down, nervously.

"Do you think she's going to our home?" he questioned, only loud enough for the girl in front of him to hear.

She shifted on her feet, crossing her arms.

"Would you go to my home if you broke out of Azkaban?"

He frowned, giving his sister a look.

"As long as you weren't the one who put me there, yes. I don't think there's anyone else I could turn to."

Cassiopeia reached out and squeezed her brother's hand, a bit touched by his words, but also feeling guilty. She'd leave, but she couldn't have Draco leaving with her, not while he was still at Hogwarts and not while she was under someone else's protection.

The girl had a plan. George and Fred had asked her to work with them once they opened their store, and she'd get a house with her salary. She only needed two bedrooms, one for herself and one for her brother, and if all of the Weasleys could share a bathroom, they two could do the same too with much less inconvenience. The living room and the kitchen didn't need to be separated, and she could put a table and two chairs somewhere so they could eat there. It wasn't as spacious as the Malfoy Manor but it would be temporary. She'd find a way to get the comfort they both were used too in no time once the business progressed.

"Do you remember what I told you the night we came back?" the girl questioned, approaching him slowly until she was standing right above him.

Draco nodded slowly.

"I do."

"And what was it?" Cass questioned.

He opened a small smile.

"That you always know what you're doing."

The girl nodded, mirroring his smile.

"I always know what I'm doing," she repeated. "Do you trust me, little brother?"

Draco nodded again.

"Say it," she whispered.

"I trust you," he affirmed. "Why are you asking me that?"

"I'm gonna need you to remember our conversations soon," she sighed. "And remember that you trust me, okay?"

He looked into his sister's eyes, blue staring into blue, probably looking for whatever she was hiding, but finally confirmed.

"Okay."