"Oi Cassie watch your language! You weren't brought up to speak like that."
"You'd know all about bringing me up wouldn't you mam."
I left that shocked expression on her face as I span on my heel and marched towards the fireplace.
"High-field House!"
Throwing down the vibrant green powder, the room whirled around me before the familiar screams of my paternal family echoed through the air.
"Calm down Malachi, you can't stop her from seeing Helen, she's her mother." The harshness of my step-mother's northern accent next to the soft Irish accent I'm used to, was sharp on my ears as my feet finally stumbled from the fireplace of our kitchen.
"Ah" my father exclaimed "Cas dear are you alright?"
"No I'm half left" I remarked motioning to the left side of my body.
My dad let out a soft chuckle next to the growl of Ellen; she was never a fan of the sarcastic manner I inherited from my mother.
"Cheer up Ells." I added before leaving the room a patronising smile glinting on my face as my eyes caught Ellen's.
I didn't dislike Ellen, of course not, she was ten times the mother over mine, and we just clashed now and then, disagreed on certain matters.
I class myself as an only child because; in my eyes half siblings don't count. If they did I'd have 3 brothers and a sister, and I was happier alone, even more so when they're banging on my bedroom door. Usually I loved my room, I had the attic room, secluded from the mad world of my family, plenty floor space, 6 windows, it was bliss to me, and I was surrounded by the natural world. But when one of the 3 demons of this house ventured up the stairs and stood at my door the peace I longed for vanished.
"Cassie... Open your door Cas." The whining drawl of my youngest sibling Phoebe penetrated the wooden barrier between us.
"What do you want Phoebe?" I gritted my teeth in hope my irritation was obvious. Apparently not.
"I want you to do my hair pretty again, daddy's taking me to Diagon Alley to get my wand today." A shudder ran down my spine at the thought that now even more of my 'family' would be in the same building as me for a larger percent of the year.
"Urgh" that was my best attempt at arguing against her, seriously?
My door swung open the second my fingers nudged the lock, and in fell the fragile blonde haired youngster of us Peters. Although Phoebe was 6 years younger than me, she was still almost taller and better built than me; I was skin and bone in comparison to this side of my family. My size genes were no doubt about it, from my 5ft, skinny mother.
"Ew, what's that smell Cassie, it smells like smoke!" She accused.
"Yeah... I've been burning candles" I lied, subtly flicking the cigarette butt off the windowsill.
"You and your wacky hippie stuff, eh?"
"Come on let's do your hair then, what do you want me to do?"
"Cas! You got all your books?"
"Cassie! Daddy's talking to you!"
My only response to them was a thumbs up over the shoulder.
"So, Cassie, how've you been?" The sleaziness was dripping from this guy's voice... Who was it? Mark? Mike? Mick?
"Hmmm, good I guess." I murmured nibbling my lip... I was flirting. God Cassie he isn't even good looking. Standards. Standards! "Well, I've gotta go, guess I'll see you on the train next week?" As I turned away I mentally slapped myself, Merlin I need a boyfriend.
Looking down at my magenta painted nails, which were placed delicately on the top of my stack of NEWT books, I began to mentally name any possible candidates for my proposition of 'well needed boyfriend'
"Yeah, Cas likely. Who the fuck'd want to be with Gryffindor's bitchy, blonde, fuck around." I scoffed to myself as I pushed on the door to the Leaky Cauldron.
"I wouldn't mind"
My head spun round faster than my neck had anticipated as a searing pain shot up my spine causing me to wince.
"Eager to see me Cassandra?" His husky, mocking voice beat against my ears.
"Oh Frederic Weasley how lovely to see you!" I exclaimed, my arms throwing themselves up, as if inviting him to hug me. As he did, with an honest smile upon his face, I swiftly pulled my arms back down and shoved hard against his chest.
"We're still not friends Fred!" I spat coldly, biting at his name bitterly.
"Oh come on Cas..." His voice was practically begging... All that was needed were ripped clothes and for him to be on his knees and Phoebe would be throwing money at him nearly in tears. But I wasn't a fool, and I certainly wasn't a soft arse like my "sister"
"No." With a threatening glint in my eye I stared him down until pushing my weight on the door and stumbling into the unpleasant, dingy looking pub.
"'Ello Cassie, what can I do for ya today love?" I was quite a regular customer here, if I had nothing to do I was happy enough to come for a drink and a chat with Tom, the bar tender, he was a friend of my dad's but swore to secrecy on my continual visits here, he didn't want to "lose a good customer" his words not mine, I'd call myself more "self loathing, annoying wanker of a customer"
"Give me a new life?" I whined slamming my forehead against the coaster filled bar.
"Aye, I meant a drink love. Can't help much with the new life situation. Don't have that kinda magic you see." He chuckled sending me his toothless grin. "'M'always 'ere if you need a chat though Cas."
"Firewhiskey it is then."
"2 o'clock in the afternoon, someone's having a bad day?"
"Aye, my family are driving me up the wall, I could move out but I don't have the money, do I?" And so the sulking began.
It was half 10 by the time I floo'd home, it would of been earlier but, Tom being Tom, made sure I sobered up before trying to floo. Thankfully the house was empty when I arrived home, only a note left in place of my absent family.
'Cassie,
We've gone to stay with your auntie for a few days; you weren't home so I figured you were happy staying here. There's food in the fridge, and Ron and Hermione said you're welcome there anytime.
We'll be back in 5 days.
Love you lots sweetheart Dad xx'
"Ron and Hermione can go fuck themselves!" I mumbled in anger, screwing up the scrap parchment. My dad worked with Ron Weasley, they were Aurors together, patrol partners most of the time, so obviously, my dad was up the 1/3 of the golden trio's arse. They irritated me to no end, well honestly Ron was tolerable he had a bad temper similar to me and spoke fluently in sarcasm, I've also played a fair few games of chess against him, sadly only winning once though. But his wife Hermione. No. Just no. It was fact we would never get on, she was pristine and proper, I was academic yes, but tardiness was never my forte and I was happy being unpunctual and living my life how I did. "The indie kid" not "the brightest witch of her age"
"Nice to know your opinion of us Cassie." Shit.
My eyes shot open wide, my face plastered in pure shock as I peered over to the couch. And there sat none other than Ron Weasley. I was, however, relieved to notice the soft shaking of his shoulders and a distinct smirk on his lips.
"I guess that answers my next question" he chuckled watching my puzzled expression carefully "I came to ask if you'd like to stay with us for the rest of the week?"
"No." I answered sharply "I mean no thank you. I'm happier on my own."
"Always were an independent soul, weren't you Cas?"
"Just not a fan of your wife." I shrugged in honesty. I knew Ron wouldn't take offence I had already, many times, expressed my dislike for Hermione. And still to the day I am yet to be stood corrected.
"Fine by me then, but 'Mione's going on a business trip in 2 days for a week so you're welcome to stay for the last 3 days?" Now that was slightly tempting. I got on well with Rose, she was the year below me, but shared a similar outlook on life to me, fuck everyone and everything. The only difference was that rule didn't apply to her school work, ever. And Hugo wasn't to irritating, he was best friends with Aidan the middle child of the boys in my family, older than Robbie but younger than Nathan, Nathan was older than me by three years and didn't live with us anymore, much to my disappointment he was the only one I could get along with.
"I'll think about it" I hummed my face still full of though as I weighed out the pros and cons.
"See you in two days then Cassie." Ron winked before spinning on the spot and with an echoing crack dissaperated.
The minute Ron left the room; I flicked my wand towards the stereo in the wall, flicking through CDs until I came across my summer mix tape, complete with Peace, Palma Violets and The Drums. My three favourite bands at the time, all muggle and Id been to see them on a few occasions in concert, something my Dad wasn't too happy about, muggle concerts were filled with alcohol, drugs and rapists according to him, which was no place for a young girl like me, oh if only he knew what my life actually consisted of whilst he wasn't around.
If I could cook, being home alone would be perfection for me, no prying eyes, I could be totally myself, I wouldn't throw a party inviting all my friends around. I had none; well not really, I had mere acquaintances and my dorm mate, only two of which I could stand to be in a room with when not necessary Dom Weasley and Isabella Prince. The other two were complete imbeciles; I doubt they could even spell their own names. Rita Haughton and Amanda Thorp. I bet you're wondering why I wouldn't invite Dom or Isabella round, well I would but if I threw a party I'm certain Dom would insist on inviting her whole family, which in honesty is a bit too much for me. But as I said before I can't cook and I wasn't willing to go to Ron's whilst Hermione was there so I took the next best option.
"Hello?"
"Hey Dom, Wha'cha doing?"
"Painting my nails, why?"
"I'm home alone..."
"You want me to come cook you food?"
"You know me so well!"
"I never said yes I'm n-"
"Thank you Dom!" I exclaimed slamming the phone down before she had chance to reply.
Grabbing the packet of cigarettes I had bought from Martin? No, Mark? Mike? Oh I don't know, in Diagon Alley, I sprinted up the staircase flicking my wand once more to turn up the music so it could be heard in my room. Slamming the door behind me I slid down it and landed on the floor with a thud. Lighting the much needed cigarette, that was now balancing between my index and middle finger, I let out a sigh. The first drag was always the best; it immediately relieved me from the tension of my day leaving me with a smile on my face. Finally. Even now I was home alone I still chose to stay in my room. It was homelier than all of the rooms in this house put together, it represented me. I had band posters filling the slanted attic walls, a double bed in one corner complete with the patchwork quilt that I decided to make when I went through my crafty stage in life around the age of 13, in the top right hand corner there was a large stack of canvases I had painted and sketched on but had nowhere to hang to top it all off, my room was filled with fairy lights and an array of scented candles.
"CASSIE!" The scream interrupted my daydream "Cassandra Peters Open your bloody door!" oh joys Dom was here. Haha.
I jogged down the stairs before teasingly standing in view of the window for a good ten seconds before opening the door.
"Wanker." She stated matter-of-factly before barging past me. "I thought you quit?"
"Nahhhh... want one?" I offered her the cigarette packet.
"Ew, no I don't have a dirty habit like you."
"Yeah you do. You're Paddy Finnegan's fuck buddy." The colour in her face drained automatically as she stared at me "oh, come on, you thought I wouldn't find out?"
"I-I-I-I'm not."
"Real convincing that was Dom" I laughed kicking the door shut behind me. "Now make me food wench!"
"You're so incapable." But she didn't argue she sauntered into the kitchen and began to pull out a number of pans and other appliances I wasn't aware we owned. "So are you planning on sitting with me this year at meals?"
"You know I'm not Dom."
"But you look like you have no friends when you sit on your own." Her voice sounded almost sympathetic, it was sickening.
"I don't have any friends."
"You have me and Izzy." She smiled her beautiful smile. Stupid part vela.
"Whoop-de-fucking-do my dorm mates. My only friends." Sarcasm dripping from my lips.
"Come on can't you just get along with Freddie and James and sit with us." She pleaded. "I know they're twats, but you won't tell anyone what they did for you to not like them."
"They didn't do anything. I just don't like them. Okay?" I forced, hoping she'd drop the subject I was unsuccessful.
"I mean, you and James'd get on great. You both smoke, you both like the same music, hell his bedroom competes with yours when it comes to random shit." She chuckled "And Freddie, he has the same sarcasm as you, and you're both slags. Wait! Did you have sex with them? Is that why you don't like them?"
"Dom, seriously?" I asked in disgust. "I decided I didn't like them in my 2nd week at Hogwarts you sick bastard."
She merely laughed in response. The main problem with Dom is she has an extremely infectious laugh and within minutes we were both keeled over laughing at... well, at nothing.
"I'm gonna make sure you have a good year this year Cassie. I promise."