Chapter Text
Chichester, England - June, 1974
Cassi heard the familiar crack towards her right. She had been pruning the beech that she used instead of a fence. She jumped at the sound and dropped the shears.
"Sorry, Cassia. I didn't mean to scare you," rushed Albus. She bent over and clutched a hand to her chest.
"Circe's tits, Albus. Send a fucking owl," Cassi pleaded. She stood upright and dusted her hands on her trousers. She felt for his thread of magic, slipping it through her hands so she could read it over. She did not have a need to, honestly, she was just nosy and wanted to see what he had been up to.
"I will next time... Your garden is enviable, as always."
The comment made her smile. He said it every time, like clockwork even though he must know she had no idea what it looked like.
"When you leave, take the tulips. He doesn't like roses."
Albus was quiet for a moment before replying.
"Anything else I should know?"
"Not particularly. He's certainly enamored with you, even when you're being a tosser."
Albus cleared his throat which made Cassi laugh. She reached out for him and felt his soft palm slip around her wrist. She turned, feeling up his arm to his face and patted his cheek affectionally. She dropped her hand and playfully tugged on the long hair growing from his chin.
"Your beard is becoming very impressive, Albus."
She moved towards the house. The garden was in a grid to make it easier for her to navigate. There were four rectangular beds with at least a metre path between them and the beech hedge wrapped around the property. She had plots down the side and in the back as gardening was something she never tired of, plants always have such a calming energy.
She walked down the middle of the main beds and felt in front of her for the door handle, twisting it open and walking in.
"I must say this is a surprise, I thought I wasn't expecting you until at least next week."
Cassi stalked towards the kitchen and clicked her fingers at the stove. The kettle filled and the hob heated. Albus was standing behind her, probably disturbed by her sudden lack of furniture and decorations. Such things were nuisances to her, they only got in her way and it was not like she needed to indulge Invidia anymore.
"I endeavour to thrill you, my dear."
Though he laced his words with warmth, she sensed that something was bothering him.
"Oh, bugger off... and stop peering around like a worried mother. You have news for me, what is it?"
"Hogwarts has a vacancy."
"You already know I won't teach Divination."
The kettle whistled and she felt Albus lightly brush past her into the room.
"Please, let me," he insisted. Cassi heard him rummaging through her kitchen then ceramic clanking onto the counter. She huffed at the impertinence of it. She could bloody well pour her own tea, thank you very much.
"Albus," she warned. He helped the mug into her hand, holding it by the rim so she could grip the handle. He moved back and leaned on the counter, lifting his own mug.
"It's not Divination, it's for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Albus admitted. She slowly lifted her head to look at him. Others found her staring uncanny considering she usually correctly guessed where their faces were, but Albus never fretted. She assumed he just stared back with patient indifference.
"There are very few times where someone can surprise me, Albus. How you have managed that twice in one day is astounding," she said, plainly. Though she was a Seer, her own timeline and story rarely revealed itself to her. It was the most abstract of all her visions, prophecies and insights. She never felt bitter about this, it was nice to still have a sense of intrigue in her life. There was always a balance in nature and power.
"You're welcome."
"Arrogant toff," she retorted. She gulped a mouthful of her tea, waiting for him to continue.
"You are more than qualified for the job - no, please don't interrupt me while I'm speaking - even if you have unconventional methods. You're a brilliant teacher and in full honesty, I want you closer and properly involved," he announced.
"Do you think that wise? Death Eaters have children, Albus. What if one runs off to mommy and daddy blabbing about some Seer professor teaching them to defend themselves?"
She could feel him smile when the energy in the room lifted.
"That's why no one will know."
Cassi stared at him, once more.
"Don't you think it is too risky?"
"There is always a risk. But, the War is growing more dire by the day and I will require your regular council as it continues. I have full faith in your ability to teach, but I would feel better knowing you're close and safe. You were never registered and as I recall, no one knows about you but me," Albus reminded her and though he did not ask the question, she heard it.
"Yes. You are still the only person who knows," she sighed.
"Brilliant, then I don't see why you can't accept the position," he chirped.
She grumbled, knowing he'd won her over. She's been curious about becoming a teacher for many years now, had even mentioned it to Albus whilst drunk one night to spirited agreement from him. She only wanted him to ease her remaining anxieties.
"Oh, alright. Though, I suspect you would not have taken no for an answer."
"It was unlikely." Cassi smiled, rolling her eyes. She stuck out her empty mug; if he insisted on making the tea, he could clean it up. Albus received the mug and she heard the tap run. When he took longer than she anticipated, she suddenly felt self-conscious as she realised he was cleaning her other dishes.
"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself," she protested, to no avail. He simply started humming so she left him to sit down in the living room.
The sun was setting, she could see the golden light drenching the usual grey shadows of her vision. She ran her fingers over the corduroy ridges on her sofa, counting as she trailed over them. Albus wandered in shortly after, seating himself across from her in the armchair by the window.
"How long has she been gone?"
"What colour is this sofa?"
"It's green."
"Bugger, I don't like green."
Albus chuckled good-naturedly.
"Cassia, when did she leave?"
"A few weeks ago, around Easter," she relented, "she was convinced I was cheating on her every time I left the house." No matter how many times she tried to explain it was for work or visiting someone who was just a friend, Invidia could not be convinced. After two years, she stormed out and never returned.
"That is most unfortunate."
She grunted her agreement at him, before flinging her legs onto the sofa and stretching out.
"You'll need to be at Hogwarts by mid-August so we can prepare you for classes. In the meantime, I have brought you some light reading material."
A heavy thump sounded on the table near her head. She reached up, feeling the thick spines of the book before grabbing the top one. She touched her wand to the cover.
"Perlustrium Erigo," she cast. Braille lifted up on the smooth leather: The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection. She flipped to a random page, repeated the charm and started skimming over the information.
"Prolapso," she added, the Braille flattening back to smooth paper, "does the position still have that 'one year' jinx Riddle threw out in his tantrum?" She queried, curious to know if it was a proper rumour.
"That is baseless gossip," Albus divulged. She snorted at his tone, turning on her side to face him.
"And how many teachers have gone through the role since?"
She did not get a reply so she could only assume that though it may only be a rumour, it was proving to be eerily accurate.
"I am willing to wager that you will prove it wrong."
Cassi perked up at that, Albus never betted against her. He knew better than that. Though one year he did want to know who would win the Quidditch Cup and she'd hoped he had made a killing.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore, you have yourself a deal. But... to ensure fair is fair: I consent to, at least, two years of employment at Hogwarts in the Defense Against the Dark Arts position as will be stipulated in my contract. Only extenuating circumstances such as my own death or being physically removed from the position shall be allowed as acceptable reasons for leaving said position. If I win and leave after the first year, I want unlimited access to your private library," she challenged, extending her arm out for him to shake.
"If you lose, you must become the Head of the Department and also, I want your first edition of Carmilla," Albus rebutted. Cassi felt his hand grasp hers, leaving it stationary as he waited for her to make her decision. She was hesitant to agree, she was deeply attached to her copy as it had taken her forever to find it. Even though she knew there really was a chance that the position was not jinxed, she was too excited to finally have Albus gambling against her again.
"I agree to your terms," she stated. They shook hands and Albus rose to leave.
"Tulips, you said."
"Yes, preferably the orange ones which you'll find down the side."
"Much obliged. Apparate to Hogsmeade on the 15th of August at 3pm. I shall fetch you personally."
"As you damn well should, considering I am the one getting you back in the good books."
Albus chuckled at her jeering.
"Enjoy your reading, Cassia. I look forward to seeing you soon."
With that he walked out of the house, she heard the clean snip of flowers outside before the inevitable crack echoed throughout the empty house. She rested for a moment, letting the afternoon settle in her mind. After a minute, she reached back up for the first book and began reading.