Cassandra's Eyes Were Red

Meanwhile, after Cassandra left, Flying Class continued. Madam Hooch gave Wentworth a new Broomstick, since the old one had been completely smashed to pieces in his collision with Cassandra.

Even Cassandra's broom had a long crack in it. Madam Hooch said it could be fixed with a Mending Charm, but a repaired Broomstick would inevitably be somewhat less effective.

Looking at Cassandra's broom where it lay to one side, Wentworth couldn't help feeling awkward. Why had I picked a fight with a girl who couldn't even steer?

Wentworth decided that once Cassandra came back, he would tell her that he planned to go to Diagon Alley during the holiday and buy her a new Broomstick as compensation.

But Cassandra didn't return to class before Flying Class ended. This not only set all the first-years gossiping, but also deepened Wentworth's unease.

Even that evening, when Wentworth and Cedric and the others went to the Great Hall at Hogwarts for dinner, he noticed Cassandra was also absent from the Slytherin table.

At that point, Wentworth was finally sure that something must have happened.

After dinner, Wentworth went to Snape's office as usual. After all, Snape had said he would give him "special tutoring" every night for the next month!

He knocked and went in. Snape was already waiting in his office, and as soon as he saw Wentworth enter, he began:

"Today, I'll teach you how to brew Wit-Sharpening Potion. To make Wit-Sharpening Potion, you need to..."

Seeing that Snape hadn't started by sneering at him the moment he came in, Wentworth couldn't help feeling surprised. It didn't seem like Snape's style.

But he had something more important to ask.

"Professor Snape, I wanted to ask if you know what happened to Cassandra. Headmaster Dumbledore called her away from Flying Class this afternoon, and she still hasn't come back. I'm a little worried about him!"

Wentworth's sudden interruption put Snape in a bad mood.

"I wonder if anyone ever told you that when someone else is speaking, you should listen quietly. If you have something to say, wait until they're finished!"

"And I'm curious: why are you so worried about Cassandra?"

As he said this, Snape's expression even changed.

Afraid Snape might get the wrong idea, Wentworth hurried to explain.

"Of course, Professor. Don't forget, I'm a Hufflepuff! Cassandra and I may have had a disagreement, but that's an internal matter. If she's really in trouble, I'd be happy to help!"

Snape looked at Wentworth with a mocking smile and asked disdainfully:

"Besides being a little clever, what else can you do? How could you help?!"

Wentworth thought carefully and seriously before answering:

"I have money! Lots of money!"

Wentworth's answer seemed to leave Snape momentarily speechless. After a long pause, Snape waved a hand and said:

"Your job is to study hard. The professors will take care of everything else! Now, put away your curiosity and excessive sympathy, and let's get back to the lesson!"

Seeing this, Wentworth didn't ask any more questions. He had only confirmed one thing: whatever had happened to Cassandra, it was no small matter! Anything money couldn't solve was a big deal!

After finishing his training with Snape that night, Wentworth returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room.

All the way back, he had felt that Snape was acting strangely that evening. He hadn't made Wentworth do chores again; instead, he had genuinely taught him about Potions. Wentworth didn't know what had brought on the change, but learning things that weren't in the textbook was a good thing.

Wentworth had planned to wait until everyone had gone back to their dormitories for the night, then sneak off to the Room of Requirement to practice spells.

But not long after he returned, a Hufflepuff student ran in and came straight over to him.

"Wentworth, Cassandra from Slytherin is waiting for you outside our common room. She told you to come out and see her!"

"Wow!!!"

The Hufflepuffs nearby all let out a chorus of whoops at the message, leaving Wentworth terribly embarrassed.

But the Hufflepuff who had brought the message went on:

"Wentworth, be careful! Cassandra doesn't look quite right. Her eyes even look red with anger!"

The Hufflepuffs: ...

Wentworth: ???

As Wentworth headed out of the Hufflepuff Common Room, he assumed Cassandra's eyes were red with anger because he had wrecked her broom during Flying Class that afternoon.

So when he stepped outside and saw Cassandra standing some distance away with her back to him, he hurriedly said:

"Cassandra, I'm really sorry about this afternoon. I broke your Broomstick, but I'll buy you a... a new one later..."

As he spoke, Wentworth's voice gradually faded.

Cassandra had turned around, and Wentworth could see that her eyes really were red—but it was clear she had been crying, not that she was angry, as the Hufflepuff had said!

"Cassandra, are you all right? Should we postpone our duel until another day?"

Seeing her like that, Wentworth cautiously asked.

But Cassandra shook her head firmly.

"No. We're doing it today!"

With that, Cassandra turned and walked away.

Wentworth had no choice but to hurry after her.

"Cassandra, if something's troubling you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help!"

"My family has an old butler who's been with us for over a hundred years. Do you know why he's lived so long?"

"Because your family has special health secrets?"

"Because he never sticks his nose into other people's business!"

Wentworth: ...

When Cassandra and Wentworth reached the first floor of Hogwarts, Cassandra suddenly stopped. Wentworth gave her a questioning look.

Cassandra asked awkwardly:

"Where do you think... would be a good place for us to duel?"

Wentworth: ...