Chapter Text
She should be asleep. She has a meeting with Amelia Bones in the morning about Dumbledore’s attack on her family. And yet, here it is, two in the morning, and Cass is still wide awake. Siri and Bella have been periodically kicking her out of the ‘war’ room to force her to take a break.
Since Dumbledore still can’t be found.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” She jerks slightly at Pio’s sudden voice in her ear. “You’re really out of it.”
“I’m fine, darling.” In the process of turning, she manages to catch the widening of his eyes. “Really? That gets you-” A hand covers her mouth as he glares.
“Shut up. I’m here trying to be nice, and you’re going to tease me?” She can’t stop her smile, which just makes him glare harder. He’s suddenly squeezing her cheeks and shaking slightly. “Stop it.” Laughter bubbles up as she grabs his wrist.
“Pio. Pio, why?”
“I did this backwards.” he gives her yet another little shake. Cass goes to ask again. “I asked you to marry me, and haven’t even taken you out properly.”
“You don't have to do that, Pio.” A finger taps her cheekbone. “Darling?”
“Stop it.” There’s a pause as he stares at her still squished face. “You have a meeting in the morning. With the new Head of the DMLE.”
“Amelia, yes.” His frown deepens. “Pio?”
“You should sleep.”
“Unfortunately not gonna happen today. Pepper up potions work wonders sometimes.”
“You need more days off.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’ve got too much to do. Can I have my face back, please?”
“No. You work too hard. So you're not going to sleep?” Cass shrugs, more than used to her poor sleep schedule.
“Not tonight. It happens occasionally. Insomnia.” He gives her another squeeze, then lets go.
“Come on, let's go out.” She laughs again, but allows him to pull her towards the floo. “Flippy, tell Hadrian we’ll be back if he wakes before we return.”
“Yes, Master Pio.”
They end up in London, in a busy but cozy Chinese restaurant, sliding into a booth along the back wall. After ordering way too much food, the two settle in with ease that Cass can attribute to just how long they’ve known each other.
“Oh, Pio, darling, just so you know, you haven’t done it backwards. We’ve done this more times than I can count.” He goes bright red, eyes fixed on the table.
“This time it means something different.” Cass studies the man across from her with a soft smile.
“Perhaps.”
For a moment all Hadrian can think of is how every adult has dismissed him. All of his teachers and neighbors refused to acknowledge how the Dursley’s treated him. Mrs. Figg also didn’t help him, despite knowing who he was the whole time.
First year, McGonagall ignored their warnings about the philosopher’s stone. No one listening that Hagrid wasn’t behind the chamber second year. Fudge continuously blaming Sirius when it was Pettigrew despite Hadrian trying to give proof. Last year with his name in the goblet.
Cedric-
What if it happens again? What if his idea is stupid? What if they send him back? What if he’s not good-
“Hadrian?” A gentle hand pets through his hair, getting him to look up at Pio. “You’re spiraling. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Er, I might have an idea?”
“Oh?” Cassie looks up from her papers, mismatched eyes soft.
“Fawkes, er, can’t he just tell us where Dumbledore is?” Both of them stare at him in silence, long enough Hadrian wants to shrink back.
Cass’ head hits her desk with a much too loud thud.
“Cassiopeia, be careful with your face. It’s still healing.”
“Is that all you like me for, Pio?” Her voice is still muffled against the wood since she hasn’t lifted her head. “My pretty face?”
“As if,” he scoffs, and Hadrian winces, unsurprised when she finally lifts her face up with an affronted look. “Wait-”
“Yes, Hadrian, you’re probably right. Would you mind terribly calling for him?” Hadrian nods, calling for the phoenix as Cass rubs her nose and Pio starts apologizing.
:Hadrian, Vampire, Dark One.: Cass’ face goes blank. :Did you need something, my chosen?:
“Er, right, can you tell us where Dumbledore is?”
:Yes. Here.: Fawkes moves to a map and pokes at a spot.
“Thank you, Fawkes. I need to call Madam Bones.” Cass kneels down beside the fireplace, seemingly calm, but her voice is much too level.
“Fawkes, can you not tell Madam Bones she’s the Dark Lady like you did with Professor McGonagall?”
:For you, yes.: Hadrian figures that’s the best he’s going to get. The next hour is quiet, Cass at the auror office with Madam Bones. Then it’s chaos as Cass comes back to grab Bella, shooting a quick message to Siri, who appears quickly before vanishing just as fast.
He hates not knowing, hates not being there. He wants to help-
“Hadrian? Will you help me get some medical supplies ready?” Cissa is standing in the doorway, not making an effort to hide her worry. Pio nudges him towards her.
“Another set okay?”
“Of course, Pio.” Her smile is shaky, but there.
Cass snarls under her breath as another auror goes down.
“Black, none of my men can get close to him. He’s gone on a rampage.”
“Give me Bella and Siri, and get your people out.” Bones studies her for a long moment.
“Alright. I’m deputising you and Miss Black. I would prefer him arrested.”
“Honestly? So would I.” Once alone, Cass exchanges a glance with Bella and Siri.
“Albus, the aurors are gone. It’s just us now.”
“I find that hard to believe, Black.”
“I’ve got Bellatrix and Sirius with me, but everyone else has left.” He’s poking at her wards, trying to break through. “I’m not letting you leave here unless it’s in cuffs or a body bag.”
“The Light will always prevail against the Dark.”
“Given what you did to Fawkes, you’re not very Light,” Cass says, tired of the false claim. There’s a scream of rage before the wall she was using as cover explodes. Her shield falls with the last piece of debris. “Rude.”
“You don’t know what you speak of.”
“Considering he used my son to break his bonds, I think I do.” She sneers at the old man, settling into a defensive position.
“Impossible.”
“You have no idea,” she can’t help but mutter, blocking his spell with a flick of her wrist. “There’s no chance of you going calmly, is there?”
“I will never submit to a Dark witch.”
Cass scoffs, loud and obnoxious. “Even after all this time, you still can’t remember my title. I am the Dark Lady, not some simple witch.” His eyes go wide before his face twists in hatred.
“You lie-”
“She does not.” A triple toned voice rings out, Lady Magic stepping into the corner of her gaze. “This is where the fight ends.”
“Yes Lady Magic.” Cass bows slightly. The tension leaks out of her shoulders.
This is the end.
One month later Fall 1988
Hadrian wants to bite at his nails as he waits for Cass to exit in her wedding dress.
"She'll love it, Hadrian." Lily squeezes his shoulder with a reassuring smile. He hopes his responding smile isn't a grimace. The door opens up and Cass steps into the room. The women in the room (Cissa, Lily, Bella, and Andi obviously, Cass’s friend Acacia, and the other Black women, Lucretia, Callidora, and Cedrella) all pause in their chatter as they take in Cass.
“It’s not white.” Callidora is the one to break the silence.
“No,” Cass murmurs, holding out a hand to Hadrian, “it’s not. It matches my ring.” He takes her hand and allows her to pull him closer. Her nails scratch his skull as her hand passes through his hair. “Cissa tells me the color was your choice.”
“I saw this pink and thought it fit you.” The blush pink does match the ring Pio gave her. It also isn’t the traditional white one that Hadrian can’t connect to Cass.
Traditional isn’t the word he’d use for Cass, even with her instance on beliefs like the Old Rituals.
The women are talking again, but Hadrian is more focused on matching Cass’ smile. Cissa starts doing her makeup, and Andi is doing her hair.
“When are you going to fix your eye, dear?” Her gaze leaves Hadrian, flicking to the mirror to meet Cedrella’s.
“I’m not. Why would I?”
“It’s- it’s your wedding renewal?”
“Yes?”
“Well, the photographers-”
“Aunt Cedrella, I am not ashamed of my scars. My eye is blind, Those that matter are aware of this. I got this by protecting my husband, protecting my son’s father, a man I trust and love implicitly. Besides, Pio isn’t with me for my pretty face.” That gets Hadrian to laugh, remembering Pio’s stumbling apologies over that foot in mouth situation.
Knocking stops Cedrella from her spluttering. Ted sticks his head in looking stressed.
“Andi, can you help me with Dora? We’re getting close to the ceremony and she won’t wear her dress.” Cass laughs as Lucretia ushers her cousins from the room.
“Bring her here, will you?”
“Is there something wrong with the dress?” Hadrian looks towards Andi, who sighs and shakes her head.
“It’s the first wedding she can’t match Cass.” The soon to be 12 year old stomps in, pout prominent and intense. “Nymphadora-”
“Why can’t I match Auntie Cass?”
“Nobody is allowed to match Cassie today.”
“Is it the color or the dress that’s bothering you?”
“I don’t like dresses.” Hadrian’s mind spins before catching Cass’ amused look. Traditional isn't in her repertoire.
“What about a suit then?” The next few moment are a whirlwind as her dress gets transfigured into a suit. Arcturus enters only minutes later, prompting everyone to wish Cass well, obviously caring and loving kisses pressed to her cheeks, knuckles, and forehead before the room clears out.
“Cassiopeia.”
“Grandfather. Thank you for this.” Cass motions Hadrian closer as Arcturus denies any reason to be thanked. She opens a drawer to the vanity she was sitting at. There’s a large red and black stone in her hand.
“Cass-”
“I know.” Before he can ask, she turns it over in her hand, and a greyscale woman appears.
“Hello, dearest, my love.” Her eyes shift to Hadrian. “Hello, child. I’m Melania, Cassiopeia’s grandmother.”
“I thought you destroyed that.”
“No, I just couldn’t trust Charlus.” Melania smiles lovingly at the other two before looking back at him with the same expression.
“I am so glad to meet you, and I’m very glad you found Cassie. You make her happy. Arcturus, Cassiopeia. Oh, I'm so proud of you two.” The shade vanishes shortly after that, pulling a shaky breath from Arcturus.
“Thank you.” Cass shakes her head.
“Thank you for holding on.” They’re hugging in the next instant, Arcturus murmuring,
“I won’t do what Dorea did to you.” Cass’ hands spasm before pulling back with a watery smile. “Ready?”
“More than ever.” Hadrian takes her hand when it’s extended, grinning when she squeezes.
The ceremony goes by swimmingly, no issues or kinks, and there’s something so comforting watching Cass and Pio get married.
Hopeful is the word that fits best, to Hadrian at least.
After his and Bella’s speeches, Hadrian is caught in a conversation with Fred and George. Not that he minds at all. These two are his best friends, the two that know everything and stuck around.
Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Siri and Reggie teasing Cassie, all three laughing even as Pio talks with Arcturus. Something else catches his attention, so he excuses himself and makes his way to the front entrance.
“Something wrong?”
“Heir Black, these two aren’t on the list.”
“We’re not trying to interrupt,” the man says, accent thick, as he holds up his hands.
“We just wish to introduce ourselves to the Lady Black.” The woman also has a thick accent.
“Who are you?”
“I am Enrieta, from Sibiu. This is Bakari, from Tanzania.” The names aren’t familiar, but the places…
“Let them in.” The guard and newcomers all stare at him, but listen. They’re polite enough to wait for Pio and Cass to leave the dance floor, even when Hadrian himself was called to the floor a few times.
“Hadrian, friends of yours?” Cass studies the strangers as her and Pio join them.
“Actually, they’re here for you.” A silencing bubble comes up, getting them to tense up.
“I am Bakari, the Light Lord.”
“And I am Enrieta, the Grey Lady.” Even Hadrian freezes, not quite expecting that.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Black.” Cass recovers quickly.
“You two as well.”
“We have much to discuss, but it can wait until your celebrations are over.”
“And if that’s a month from now?” Right, the honeymoon/ family vacation.
“Then we will willingly wait a month. We are in no hurry.” Cass smiles, small but genuine.
“Thank you. Please enjoy the party.” Once alone, Cass tug Hadrian between her and Pio, both pressing a kiss to his temples. “And thank you, little one. Today was perfect.”
Fall 1989
It’s her one year anniversary, and Cass is waiting at the Ghastly Hand for Pio and Hadrian to leave Domunti for the day. Enrieta and Bakari are sitting across from her.
They’re not bad. actually rather helpful.
“It’s a pity you are so mortal.” Cass arches an eyebrow at Enrieta. “It’s not a bad thing, more that it would be easier if you lived longer.” Her eyes catch on her husband and son as they enter.
“Perhaps,” Cass follows the two back outside, heading for the Leaky Cauldron. They end up at the same Chinese restaurant her and Pio went to for their first official date.
They spend the meal discussing how their respective days went, laughter filling the air. Once they've paid, and Pio is helping her back into her coat, she tilts her head to look at him.
“Darling, I’ve decided I wish to finish our original deal.” He blinks at her blankly for a moment before his eyes go wide.
‘Truly?” She hums with a smile, amusement growing as he spends the trip home vibrating in place. Hadrian runs off to talk to Fred and George, planning on helping them with their latest experiment as Pio ushers her to their bedroom.
“Your eagerness is showing, my love,” she teases as he removes her coat once again.
“Yes, well, I’ve wanted this for a while.” She only laughs as he tilts her head to the side. His nose brushes over the exposed skin, pulling a shiver from her before he bites down, fangs almost too sharp to feel.
Cassiopeia sinks into the feeling, content with the knowledge she has a long time ahead of her to bask in having someone to rely on.