Extra 7: Potter, You Silly Little Troll

"Muggle-born," Cassandra said bluntly, her eyes fixed on Harry. "According to legend, Slytherin believed that magic should remain within Pure-blood families. His disagreements with the other three Founders ultimately led to his departure from the school."

Harry was silent for a moment. "Do you believe in this legend?"

"Legends often have a true core," Cassandra leaned back in her chair. "It is said that a Lady once tried to enter Slytherin's Study, but she failed—as a descendant of Slytherin, her family had always harbored great hostility towards Muggle-born wizard, and this Lady wanted to verify this, which is why she tried to enter her ancestor's study."

The library was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.

Harry suddenly realized something: Cassandra wasn't even that close to him, so why was he telling him all this?

"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked softly.

Cassandra did not answer immediately.

She looked out the window, the morning light illuminating her delicate profile and outlining a breathtaking beauty.

"Because I'm curious, Potter," she finally said, turning back to Harry, "A boy who suddenly appears in 1887, with a strange scar on his forehead, accepted into Hogwarts, yet knows nothing about his past or his family—don't you think that in itself is intriguing?"

Harry felt a tightness in his throat: "Professor Weasley said I shouldn't tell anyone—"

"About you coming from the future? Yes, I agree." Cassandra interrupted him. "Time Magic is one of the most strictly regulated areas by the Ministry of Magic. If someone discovers your true origins, the best-case scenario is that your memories are erased and you're sent back to your time; the worst-case scenario is something you wouldn't want to know."

"Then why are you still—" Harry's throat tightened.

"I have no interest in reporting you," Cassandra said with a hint of impatience. "If I wanted to, I would have done it the first day you boarded the train. I just want to figure out what's so special about you—"

"Maybe I'm nothing special," Harry said softly. "Maybe I'm just unlucky."

Cassandra stared at him for a long time, so long that Harry began to feel uncomfortable.

Finally, she gently shook her head.

"No, I don't think so. Fate rarely plays its pieces arbitrarily, Potter. I don't believe fate would choose a mediocre person. There's a reason you're here, and I want to know what that reason is."

She stood up and began tidying up the books on the table.

"That concludes today's discussion. We can continue next Saturday at 2 PM if you're interested. Now, I suggest you head to the Great Hall for breakfast; your friend Weasley should be up by now."

Cassandra left with her head held high, clutching her book, leaving Harry alone in the reading area.

Over the next few weeks, Harry gradually adapted to life at Hogwarts. He learned to use Floo Powder to move quickly around the castle, memorized which staircases would change direction at certain times, and even mastered how to avoid areas where Peeves frequently appeared.

He continued to receive Charms coaching from Professor Ronan every Tuesday and Saturday.

His Lumos Charm was already capable of instantly destroying multiple targets, and Professor Ronan began teaching him some more practical spells, such as the Levitation Charm.

Every Saturday afternoon, Harry would go to the library to meet Cassandra.

Cassandra seemed quite interested in Harry, but her attitude was far from pleasant. However, Harry didn't seem to mind. After all, compared to Dudley, the Privet Drive boxer who would punch him for no reason, Cassandra was incredibly gentle.

They no longer limited themselves to discussing Chamber of Secrets legends, but instead studied various Magical Theory and historical events, and even discussed the principles of Charms learned in class.

Harry discovered that although Cassandra was arrogant, she was exceptionally patient when discussing magic and willing to listen to his opinions—even those opinions came from a "Muggle way of thinking," which she would seriously consider.

"Your logic is quite interesting, Potter." Once, when they were discussing the principles of the Levitation Charm, Cassandra commented, "Muggle explain why objects fall using 'gravity' and 'reaction,' while wizards just wave their wands and say 'Winguardium Leviosa.' Perhaps we should think more about the principles behind spells instead of blindly repeating gestures—now, I think you're qualified to be my sidekick."

Harry also discovers that Cassandra is not entirely ignorant of the Muggle world.

In fact, she had read many books about Muggle science and history, and although her views were often biased by pure-blood wizard, at least she was willing to learn.

"My grandfather thought Muggle were inferior," Cassandra once confessed. "But my father, and my Ignatius, believed that Muggle created amazing things in their own way—railways, telegraphs, steam engines—they changed the world with their ingenuity, even without magic. I think he had a point."

One Saturday afternoon in early October, when Harry arrived at the library, he found Cassandra was not as calm as usual.

The books in front of her were scattered haphazardly, and her fingers tapped impatiently on the table.

"What's wrong?" Harry sat down opposite her.

"Nothing," Cassandra said curtly, but Harry could tell she was lying.

If you don't want to say—

"I received a letter from home." Cassandra suddenly interrupted him, a rare emotion—perhaps anxiety—flashing in her gray eyes. "My father wants me to make 'suitable friends'."

Harry understood. As a Malfoy, Cassandra should associate with Pure-blood families children, such as the Gaunt family, Black family, and Lestrange family, rather than meeting with some Muggle-born nobody every week in the library.

"Then maybe we should—" Harry said hesitantly.

"No," Cassandra's voice was firm. "It's my own decision who I choose to be friends with. If my father isn't happy about it, that's his problem."

Harry looked at her in surprise. In his memory, Cassandra always spoke of her father with respect, even awe.

Such resistance was completely unlike anything she would have done.

"Why?" Harry couldn't help but ask, "Why take this risk? I'm just a—"

"You're just my lackey, Potter." Cassandra curled her lips into a smile. "I think you think so too, don't you?"

Harry felt his face burning.

Am I just imagining things?

He thought that after spending so many days together, he and Cassandra should be friends, but he never expected that in her heart, he was just a follower.

But having a follower isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it?

Harry's mind raced, but he tried to keep his face calm.

He came from a completely different world, where he had no relatives or friends. His experience in the Dursley family taught him caution and patience.

If becoming Cassandra Malfoy's sidekick makes his life at Hogwarts easier, what's wrong with that?

Cassandra seemed pleased with Harry's silence, and she slightly raised her chin. "Very well. Well then, as my henchman, you should be at the Astronomy Tower at eight o'clock tonight."

"The Astronomy Tower?" Harry, somewhat confused. "But isn't Astronomy Class on Wednesdays?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes gracefully. "The Astronomy Tower isn't just for Astronomy Class, Potter. It's a great place to practice Charms that require space and focus. Of course, if you're worried about breaking the rules."

"I will go," Harry interrupted her, then added, "Miss Malfoy."

Cassandra's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile, "Eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

That evening, Harry quietly left the common room and headed to the Astronomy Tower.

The castle was exceptionally quiet at night, with only the sound of his own footsteps and the distant wind.

When he pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Astronomy Tower, Cassandra was already there.

She stood by the railing, her dark green school uniform fluttering gently in the night breeze, her pale golden hair gilded with silver by the moonlight.

Elegant, beautiful, mysterious—just like Artemis.

The Astronomy Tower offers excellent views, including the distant Black Lake and Forbidden Forest, and the stars in the night sky are clearly visible.

"You're on time, that's about right." Cassandra didn't turn around. "Close the door. We need some quiet."

Harry did as instructed.

The tower was suddenly filled only with the sound of the wind and the distant hooting of owls.

"Tonight we'll practice variations of the Lumos." Cassandra turned and drew her wand. "You should already have the basics of the Lumos Charm, but the real challenge lies in control—not just the brightness, but also the direction, range, and duration."

Harry nodded, recalling Professor Ronan's guidance.

"Watch closely," Cassandra said, raising her wand. "Lumos!"

A bright orb of light appeared at the tip of her wand, but then, with a slight twist of her wrist, the orb split into three smaller points of light, which floated in the air in a triangle.

With another flick of the wrist, the three points of light merged into one.

"This is a skill you learn in second grade," Cassandra said, "But I think you can start practicing now. After all, as my sidekick, you can't be unable to even handle this basic control."

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside Harry.

Cassandra spoke harshly, but in private she taught him things beyond the curriculum.

Is this considered a form of concern?

He then shook his head, banishing the untimely thought from his mind.

It's just a requirement for the subordinate's abilities.

Sure enough, Cassandra added another sentence.

"If you can't even do this, then it means—"

As she said this, she leaned forward slightly, her pretty, delicate face full of malice.

"----You're not even worthy to be my lackey, Potter! I'll kick you out of school, understand?"

"I'll try." Harry quickly raised his wand, recalling the technique Professor Ronan had taught him—concentrate and imagine the flow of magic—"Lumos!"

A ball of light appeared at the tip of the wand, brighter than during normal practice.

Harry struggled to control his magic, trying to split the orb of light, but it only trembled a few times, becoming even brighter, without splitting open. "You've used too much force, you silly little Troll."

Cassandra said sarcastically, "Using skill, not brute force, is typical Gryffindor."

Harry took a deep breath and tried again.

This time, he slowed down his movements, focusing on the subtle control of the magic.

The sphere of light trembled, slowly elongated, and then it succeeded!

It split into two points of light, which were different in size and slightly skewed in position, but were indeed two independent light sources.

"Barely passable," Cassandra commented, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes. "Now try to move them. Slowly, in the same direction."

Harry focused all his attention, sweat trickling down his forehead.

The two points of light began to move slowly, drawing an irregular circular trajectory.

He could feel the magic flowing through the wand, like a river that needed to be carefully guided.

Just as the point of light was about to complete a full circle, a bell rang from somewhere in the distant castle—it was nine o'clock.

Harry was startled; his magic went out of control, and the two points of light went out with a "poof," leaving a wisp of smoke.

Cassandra gave a cold snort, "Your stamina still needs practice. Although you're clumsy, you're barely qualified to be my follower."

This was the closest Harry had ever gotten to a compliment from her.

"Thank you, Miss Malfoy." Harry wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Don't get me wrong, I just don't want my sidekick to embarrass himself in Charms Class." Cassandra put away her wand and looked up at the starry sky. "Do you know Orion?"

Harry followed her self-illumination, searching among the countless stars.

The Dursley family never took him stargazing, Dudley had absolutely no interest in things that were "inedible and unplayable."

"I'm not quite sure," he said honestly.

"Just as I thought, what a silly little Troll."

Cassandra curled her lip in disgust, raised her wand, and tapped it lightly. Several points of light lit up at the tip, arranging themselves into a human shape. "This is Orion, one of the most prominent constellations in the winter sky. See those three stars in a line? That's Orion's belt."

She moved her wand, and the light changed accordingly. "Next to it is the Canis Major, Sirius is there, the brightest star in the night sky."

Harry looked up at the Cassandra had drawn with magic, then at the real starry sky, and suddenly felt a strange connection.

In this completely Strange Era and world, at least the starry sky above us is the same as it will be a hundred years from now.

"Why do you know so much about Astronomy?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

Cassandra was silent for a moment, the point of light slowly rotating at the tip of her wand.

"My Ignatius taught him." Her voice was softer than usual. "When he was still at Hogwarts, we often observed the stars together during his holidays. He said that no matter how the world changes, the stars are always there, moving along their predetermined orbits—that gave him peace of mind."

Harry remembered Cassandra mentioning that her Ignatius, had graduated and was working at the Ministry of Magic. From her tone, he could hear the respect and affection she had for her brother.

"He sounds like a nice guy," Harry said cautiously.