Cassandra extended her hand toward Cedric as soon as she finished speaking.
This time, Cedric did not hesitate in the slightest. He reached out as well, grasping Cassandra's hand firmly as he declared:
"I'm joining—not because I have no other choice, but because I know that, with the name Grindelwald and the position of the Pureblood Party's leader, Wentworth has no way out. I will give everything I have—for this damned friendship."
As Cassandra and Cedric clasped hands, Kirk, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but give a small round of applause, grinning as he remarked:
"Brilliant! Shame we don't have a camera. Otherwise, I'd make sure to capture this moment for posterity!"
However, before Kirk's words had even fully landed, he noticed both Cassandra and Cedric turning their gazes toward him, their expressions… odd.
Awkwardly, Kirk lowered his hands, while Cassandra rolled her eyes and urged impatiently:
"Hurry up!"
"Huh? Hurry up with what?"
Kirk asked, looking thoroughly confused.
Cassandra furrowed her brow and replied, "The Unbreakable Vow, of course! Didn't you see that we're ready?"
At her words, Kirk's eyes widened in shock. He stammered, "Who told you I know how to perform an Unbreakable Vow? Even if I got ten O.W.L.s, Hogwarts never taught us how to do that!"
Cassandra's eyes went wide as well, and beside her, Cedric turned to her, just as astonished.
"Cassandra… you don't know how to perform an Unbreakable Vow? But you were the one who suggested it!"
Cassandra scowled, clearly frustrated.
"I'm a second-year! A second-year! Where on earth would I have learned an Unbreakable Vow? And even if I did know how, I don't have enough magical power to cast it! Who would've thought that Kirk, a Hufflepuff Prefect, wouldn't know the spell either?"
Kirk muttered defensively, "Being a Prefect has nothing to do with knowing advanced spells!"
Now all three of them looked deflated. After a moment of silence, Cedric spoke up thoughtfully:
"Alright, we have two options. One: we forget about the Unbreakable Vow. Two: we find a way to learn how to cast it somewhere in Hogwarts."
At Cedric's words, Cassandra and Kirk's eyes lit up at the same time. They exchanged a glance before saying in unison:
"The Restricted Section!"
Without wasting another moment, Cassandra immediately laid out their plan:
"Kirk and I will sneak into the Restricted Section. Cedric, you stand guard outside the library."
But just as Cassandra was dividing up their tasks, something happened that none of them had expected.
From behind them, in the direction of the corridor, a voice suddenly rang out:
"There's no need for all that trouble—I can cast the Unbreakable Vow for you."
At the sudden voice from behind, the three of them reacted instinctively—without even stopping to see who it was.
They drew their wands, spinning around in unison and aiming at the source of the voice.
Cedric: "Expelliarmus!"
Cassandra: "Stupefy!"
Kirk: "Petrificus Totalus!"
Had it been anyone else, they might have been hit instantly.
Unfortunately for them, the person standing there was one of the most formidable duelists in the wizarding world—Severus Snape.
With effortless grace, Snape deflected their spells. Though his expression remained unreadable, something flickered across his face for just a moment. Then, in his usual cold drawl, he said:
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You lot have a knack for getting tangled in dangerous games. Your reflexes are decent, I'll grant you that. But it's a shame—your skills are utterly lacking. Are you truly ready to involve yourselves in all of this?"
Only then did the three realize who stood before them.
Professor Snape.
Kirk let out a helpless chuckle and gave a small gesture, signaling to Cedric and Cassandra to lower their wands.
Having spent six years at Hogwarts, Kirk knew beyond a doubt that the three of them were no match for the professor before them—no matter that his subject was Potions rather than Defense Against the Dark Arts.
At the same time, Kirk opened his mouth to explain:
"Professor Snape, actually, we were just—"
But Snape cut him off sharply.
"I don't have time for your feeble excuses. I know exactly what you're up to—I heard everything from outside the door."
Kirk could only sigh and offer a wry smile.
"Well, it looks like we still have a lot to learn. But honestly, Professor, eavesdropping on students? Not very becoming, is it? So—what are you going to do?"
Snape ignored Kirk's sarcasm entirely and stated simply:
"As I just said—I can cast the Unbreakable Vow for you."
The three of them exchanged glances. None of them were foolish enough to celebrate just yet. After a brief silence, Cassandra was the first to ask:
"And what's the price, Professor?"
Snape's gaze swept across each of their faces before he spoke again.
"I want you to protect someone. No matter what happens, you must ensure his safety."
At those words, Cassandra, Cedric, and Kirk exchanged another glance.
This time, it was Cedric who voiced the question:
"Professor, who do you want us to protect?"
Snape spoke slowly, deliberately, enunciating every word:
"Harry Potter."
Cedric exhaled in relief.
At least it wasn't someone he couldn't bring himself to protect.
But Cassandra and Kirk both frowned. Snape's words had triggered the same realization in both of them.
Kirk hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously:
"Does this mean… he's coming back?"
Snape didn't bother to deny it.
"Yes."
At that confirmation, Kirk fell silent.
Snape did not press them for an answer.
Instead, it was Cassandra who stepped forward and declared:
"We accept."
Kirk turned to her as if about to protest, but she had already anticipated his reaction.
Before he could say a word, she looked him straight in the eye and said:
"This isn't a game. We knew the path we were choosing wouldn't be an easy one, didn't we? If he really is coming back, then sooner or later, we'll have to face him."
With that, she extended her hand once more—this time, toward both Kirk and Cedric.
"Who's first?"
It was Cedric who stepped forward first, grasping Cassandra's hand.
Snape moved closer, raising his wand and pointing it at their clasped hands.
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