Cassandra, perhaps even more flustered than Tom himself, fled the scene of her "misdeed" with an unnatural blush and barely suppressed excitement. Ignoring the greetings of Death Eaters she passed, she hurried back to the Slytherin Common Room.
There, nestled beside the Black Lake, Cassandra slumped onto a sofa near the fireplace, feigning composure. However, her flushed face and slightly disheveled hair betrayed her.
Was it that obvious?
Glancing around, she noticed only a handful of students occupied the common room. And even they seemed intent on their own affairs, pointedly avoiding her gaze. A wave of self-awareness washed over her.
She subconsciously straightened, then immediately lost her rigid posture as she melted back into the soft cushions. Her eyes, unfocused as they stared into the dancing flames, revealed her inner turmoil.
What had she just done? What would Tom think? Anger? Or...?
Cassandra pursed her lips, seemingly savoring the lingering sensations of their encounter. The memory flashed through her mind, and a wave of heat washed over her once more.
Entering "Steam Princess" mode again, Cassandra shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Perhaps Tom was wrong about her being "low offense, low defense"; maybe "high offense, low defense" was more accurate.
She was already regretting her hasty retreat. Why had she run?! According to those Muggle novels, she should have seized the opportunity to press her advantage! Then, she could have smoothly progressed to the second, third steps... Had she jumped the gun?
Lost in her own world, Cassandra was already contemplating names for her second child. After "thinking" for over ten minutes, she snapped back to reality. Now wasn't the time for that! The real problem was... what was Tom thinking? According to those Muggle novels, shouldn't he have come after her by now?
A resentful expression crossed her face. Was it because "Tom didn't follow the script" or because she had been "duped by the Muggle novels?"
Regardless, even if Tom hadn't reacted immediately, it didn't matter. Cassandra had already devised her next strategy... a remedial plan.
She admitted she hadn't thought things through; she was in the wrong. So, she would make amends. Since it had already happened, she had no choice but to take full responsibility. Only in this way could she atone for her mistake. If Tom refused her efforts, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Hmph, Dark Lord, you wouldn't want your student to spend the rest of her life in regret, would you?
Cassandra was pleased with her "excuse," perfectly crafted to allow her to get close to Tom while making it impossible for him to refuse. In a cheerful mood, she made herself a cup of coffee, carefully planning how to feign "regret" when she met Tom tomorrow without raising suspicion.
"Cassandra? Weren't you in Professor Tom's office?"
Turning at the sound of a familiar voice, Cassandra found Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. They must have finished class. She had practically skipped all morning! She took a sip of her coffee, offering a casual shrug. The professors would likely turn a blind eye; they knew these classes were little more than a lively study hall for her.
"Just got back from over there," Cassandra replied, then seemed to remember something. "By the way, the advice you gave me before was actually quite useful."
For a jerk like Tom, it really does take the 'violent confrontation' approach to teach him a lesson!
"Advice?"
"What advice did we give?"
Harry and Malfoy exchanged confused glances.
"Malfoy, do you remember?"
"Completely no recollection." Malfoy shook his head, raising his right hand in a gesture of inquiry. "Could you give me a hint?"
Cassandra brushed aside the topic and walked towards the sofa, sipping her coffee. "By the way, Potter, Malfoy, Tom is a professor, strictly speaking, your teacher, right?"
Harry and Malfoy held opposing views. One was conservative, believing, "it doesn't count unless Tom admits it," while the other, a radical exclaimed, "I've already called him 'adoptive husband,' let alone 'teacher'!"
Cassandra nodded thoughtfully, as if absorbing their words. "Consider it a thank you. You can call me 'teacher's wife' from now on."
"..."
Harry and Malfoy were stunned into silence. Their eyes widened, mouths agape. Malfoy was about to question what he had heard when Harry, quick-witted, covered his mouth.
"This isn't something we can get involved in, understand?"
After receiving a stern look from Malfoy, Harry released his hand.
"But Harry, aren't you curious?" Malfoy couldn't imagine the chaos that would ensue if this news got out. At least half of Hogwarts would be drowning their sorrows tonight... well... the female half, plus a few who had been swayed to the other side. The remaining straight men would also be crestfallen.
After all, Cassandra's looks were top-tier at Hogwarts, heightened by the allure of her bloodline. Malfoy refused to believe none of the male students harbored some interest, some fantasies.
"Harry, what should we do?" Malfoy's gossip-loving soul was already ablaze—this was gossip about Professor Tom and Cassandra Volle!
"Heh..." Harry rolled his eyes. "What else can we do? Just wait and see. And don't go around telling everyone, or you'll drag me down with you when you die."
"Don't worry, everyone at Hogwarts knows that I, Young Master Malfoy, am the best at keeping secrets!"
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