Random: Okay, so I wanted to clear some things up before starting this chapter. And this is important, so please read it. I'm guilty for usually skipping Author's notes too, but pleas read.
1) Lyra is a star name as one of the reviewers pointed out. (and I'm impressed since I didn't know if that would happen) That is because she was part of the Black family before her marriage to Sirius. It's like a pureblood thing for cousins to marry cousins, so to keep the line pure and yada yada yada. But Lyra and Sirius did fall in love, which will be shown in my back story of them that I've already gotten started.
2) Cassi's wand isn't as overpowered as some think. It may sound that way, but I just used Ollivander's wand lore guide to put together a wand I thought would be perfect for Cassi. Vine is supposed to be for those who want to go beyond what people expect of them, or people who are more than people would think, which is true in Cassi's case. She is part of the Black family, so you would think she'd be act like one yet she doesn't. Also, she wants to prove she isn't like the other members of her family. As for the Dragon Heartstring it is great for flamboyant spells, which I thought would make it a good wand for pranking. Which is something Cassi loves. So, yeah, I'm not trying to over power her.
Sorry if I ranted a bit. I just want to make sure no one mistakes Cassi for a Mary Sue again Because I'm trying to make sure she isn't. However, she is going to have a bit more talent than some her age. She is the daughter of Sirius Black after all, and he's an extremely talented wizard. And she's from the Black family who are known to have witches and wizards with great talent. So, it's in her blood. But she's not going to be like taking the spotlight from Harry or anything...Sorry ranting again. Let's just get the chapter started.
Declaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Just my OCs Cassi and Lyra, and any I might add in the future
P.S. I promise the chapters will get longer.
Cassi walked through King's Cross Station while pushing her trolley, which had all her school things, out in front of her. She was returning to Hogwarts for her third year, and she couldn't wait to cause just as much mischief as the previous two years. She grinned at just the thought of the trouble she and her two closest friends could get into.
"Cassiopeia, I do not like that look on your face." Lyra, who was walking alongside her daughter, said.
This just had Cassi's grin growing even more. Lyra shook her head knowing it was going to be another year of various letters being sent to their house.
"Can you not have one quiet year?" Lyra asked.
"Mum, that'd ruin my reputation." Cassi said frowning. "What are you thinking?"
Cassi gave her a mother a 'you must be losing your marbles look', and Lyra chuckled with a shake of her head.
"At least try to go the first week without any trouble, please?" Lyra asked.
Cassi sighed looking as if it'd be a chore to do so, but she did nod her head. Lyra thanked her daughter as the two were getting closer to 9 3/4. As they were approaching their destination, Cassi spotted a group of platinum blondes. Her mood instantly soured when she saw her aunt and uncle along with her younger cousin Draco.
"Narcissa, Lucius." Lyra greeted her sister and brother-in-law.
Lucius nodded to Lyra then just silently looked to Cassi. She quirked a brow at him in a clear manner that asked 'do you have a problem or something?', which had him frowning at her. Narcissa gave a sincere smile towards her younger sister and niece as she stood behind Draco with her hands on his shoulders.
"It's been a long time, Lyra, Cassiopeia." Narcissa said.
Lyra nodded in agreement as Cassi tried not to openly grimace when her aunt used her full first name. Narcissa was kind to Cassi, unlike Lucius, so Cassi tried to be at least 'decent' in return.
"Hullo, Draco, are you excited for your first year?" Lyra asked as she looked
"Of course, Aunt Lyra." Draco said with a nod and annoying smirk. "I expect to be placed in Slytherin house like Father, Mother, and you."
He then looked at Cassi with a smug look as if him going to Slytherin made him better than her since she was sorted into Gryffindor. However, Cassi rolled her eyes feeling unimpressed.
"I'm sure you will do well there." Lyra said with a tight smile.
Lyra had been placed inside the Slytherin house, but she hadn't been like her other Slytherins.
"Cassi, perhaps, you could show Draco to the platform and share a compartment together to Hogwarts." Narcissa suggested with a smile. "You two rarely get any time to bond."
Cassi, while grateful her aunt switched to her middle name, openly grimaced at the thought of being stuck in a compartment all the way to Hogwarts with her weasel of a cousin. Draco didn't seem to thrilled with the idea either. The two could never really get along since the moment two-year-old Cassi was introduced to one-year-old Draco, and everyone knew it. However, Cassi knew why Narcissa was trying to push the two together. Cassi's grandmother Walburga, who had been the Head of the Black Family at the time, made sure a marriage contract was made between Cassi and Draco the moment the weasel was born.
Cassi hated being betrothed in the first place. If she ever marries, she wants it to be for love. Not like she's given much thought to anything like that though. She just knew for sure that she did not want to marry Draco. Lyra had tried to get Cassi out of the marriage contract once Walburga died, which left Lyra the Head of the Black Family, since Sirius is in Azkaban. However, both parties have to agree to the termination of the contract, and Lucius did not want that to happen at all. Cassi still had a plan to run off before they could try to get her to marry Draco, and she would go through with it if she had to.
"Actually, Mother, I was hoping to ride with Crabbe and Goyle on the way to Hogwarts." Draco said.
"And I already promised my friends that I would share a compartment with them." Cassi added quickly.
The two cousins then glared at each other. However, they knew they could have to work together to make sure they weren't forced to endure the ride together.
"Oh...I see." Narcissa said. "Can't all of you sit in the same compartment?"
Putting their hate for each other to the side, it was possible for all of them to be in the came compartment. It would be cramped, however. Because Cassi always sits with the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan. With her included that's already four in a compartment, which is a comfortable seating arrangement. If three first years are added, it would become extremely uncomfortable, and Cassi would end up in someone's lap because she didn't see the boys sitting in each others' laps.
"Perhaps they could walk to the train together then try to see what they can work out with the seating arrangement." Lyra suggested with a smile.
Cassi threw her mother a grateful look as Narcissa said that was a good idea.
"Then we shall be off, Draco." Narcissa said as she smiled lovingly at her son. "Remember to write often."
"Yes, mother." Draco said nodding.
Narcissa kissed his cheek as Lucius, who had remained quiet all this time, placed a on Draco's shoulder.
"Make us proud, son." Lucius said then glanced at me. "You do not want to end up like certain individuals."
Lyra frowned at Lucius though kept her mouth shut. Cassi just snorted while rolling her eyes.
"Yes, Father." Draco said obediently.
Lyra turned towards her 13-year-old daughter to tuck a strand of curly hair behind Cassi's ear.
"Remember, what I asked, darling." Lyra said.
"Yeah, yeah, no trouble the first week." Cassi said frowning.
"And what did I say before we left the house?" Lyra asked.
"If you receive many letters, most of them better be from me, and not McGonagall." Cassi said.
"And?" Lyra prompted.
"I need to keep up with my studies." Cassi said. "Can I go now, Mum?"
Lyra chuckled then kissed Cassi on top of the head before telling her she could leave.
"Come on, Weasel." Cassi said to Draco. "If you don't hurry, I will leave you behind."
Draco glared at Cassi though did follow after her through the crowd. The two cousins didn't speak the entire time they were walking together until they reached the wall between platforms 9 and 10.
"You do know how this works, right?" Cassi asked.
"Yes, I'm not stupid!" Draco said frowning.
"Then go ahead." Cassi said nodding towards the wall.
Draco rolled his eyes then ran at the wall between the platforms. Cassi waited two seconds after he disappeared to lightly jog at the wall herself. She went right through as always. She let her things be taken except for her small animal carrier, which held her black ferret Lathrop. He never liked riding with the luggage car, so Cassi started bringing him with her to the compartment last year.
"This is where we part ways." Cassi said to Draco. "I don't want to see you anytime soon."
"As I don't want to see you." Draco said.
Cassi and Draco turned away from each other to go through opposite train cars. Cassi walked through the train car to find a compartment for her and her friends. She was always the first of them to arrive, so she would wait for them to find her once she found a compartment to sit in. She finally found one that was completely empty, and she quickly claimed it. She sat down beside the window then let Lathrop out of his cage. He immediately scurried up her arm to wrap around her neck, which was a place he liked to sleep or just hang around on. Cassi chuckled as she pet his black fur.
Fred and George met up with Jordan as they were standing beside the Hogwarts Express.
"Think Cassi is already here?" Jordan asked.
"Of course, she is." Fred said.
"She beats us here every year." George added with a nod.
Jordan nodded in agreement as he and the twins climbed into the train. They searched a few compartments for their friend before finally finding her. They opened the compartment, and Cassi turned to grin at her friends.
"Gentlemen." She said.
"Our lady." Fred and George said as they gave mock bows.
Cassi snorted with a shake of her head as Jordan chuckled. The boys then sat down in the compartment with George beside Cassi as Fred and Jordan sat across from them.
"How was your summer holiday, boys?" Cassi asked as she continued to pet Lathrop as he snoozed from his spot around her neck.
"It was interesting." Jordan said. "My parents took us to Brazil for the summer."
"Same old, same old for us." Fred said with George nodding in agreement.
"What about you, Cas?" George questioned.
"A bit boring." Cassi said. "I had no one to help me in my schemes. I got a bit lonely."
The twins grinned at her broadly as she grinned at them in return. The three of them were known for being the resident troublemakers in Hogwarts. The twins did it because they were good at it, and they loved a good laugh. Cassi did it for those reasons too, but also because she felt like it was her duty to do so. As if she was trying to live up to her father's legacy when he was at Hogwarts. She's heard many stories from her uncle Remus of the tales and adventures of Sirius, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and himself. The prior two were the most notorious pranksters back in the day, and Cassi didn't want to tarnish their good work by not continuing it with as much mischief as possible.
"Any plans for this year, Cassi?" Fred asked.
"Hmm, I think this year should be more spontaneous." Cassi said grinning. "With a prank at the end of the year that will shame our last two farewell pranks from the last two years."
"I like the way you think." George said still grinning. "This year is going to be interesting. Especially since Harry Potter is starting Hogwarts."
Cassi sat up straighter at the mention of Harry Potter, which isn't something her friends missed. Cassi frowned as she stared forward not really seeing anything. She knew exactly who Harry Potter was. Of course, everyone in the Wizarding World knows who he is. However, Cassi knew the past shared between her father and Harry's father. Her mother never tried to sugarcoat or hide anything from Cassi when she asked why her father was away in Azkaban. Lyra fully explained every detail of how and why Sirius ended up in the wizard prison. She wondered how much Harry Potter knew about their parents' shared pasts?
Cassi walked into the Great Hall with Fred and George on either side of her. Many turned to glance at her as they walked.
"You'd think this being my third year here that they would find something else to stare at." Cassi said frowning.
"Well, Cas, you are the daughter of a notorious murderer." George pointed out.
Cassi's frowned deepened though she supposed she understood what he was saying. However, hopefully, with the Boy-Who-Lived running around, some of the attention will be taken off of her. Well, all the attention she got as the daughter of Sirius Black. She didn't mind the attention she got from pulling off pranks and getting detention nearly every week.
"Don't' worry, Cas." Fred said.
"We've got your back." George finished.
Cassi smiled at the two of them gratefully before the three of them took their seats near the end of the table, but they left plenty of room for the new possible Gryffindors. Oliver joined them soon after while sitting down beside the twins. Percy sat on the other side of the table across from Cassi who was sitting on the other side of the twins. Most of the other students from second years to seventh years all went to their respected tables to take a seat before the first years arrived.
All the professors, besides McGonagall, filtered into the Hall through side doors. They took their seats at the table in the front of the hall as the older students all finally got seated themselves. After everyone was settled, the Great Hall doors opened to reveal McGonagall and the First Years. She led them through the Great Hall's doors, and the First Years gasped in awe at the sight of the room.
"Aw, how cute." Fred mockingly cooed.
"Don't you remember being a cute innocent First Year like that, Cas?" George asked.
"Who said anything about being innocent?" Cassi asked thought she did remember quite clearly her first night here a Hogwarts and the Sorting Ceremony.
-FLASHBACK-
"Cassiopeia Black."
The entire Great Hall went silent. Everyone watched as Cassi went up the few steps towards the hat. As she was approaching the stool, she saw Dumbledore looking at her intently. His gaze had her a bit uncomfortable, but she refused to shake. She could feel the gazes of the students on her before she even turned around to face the hall. She sat down on the stool with her face not giving away the slight bit of nervousness in her stomach. The Sorting Hat was place upon her head, and she could instantly hear it in her mind.
'Ah, another Black. It should be obvious where to put you.' It murmured.
'Not Slytherin!' She thought quickly in her mind. 'Do not put me in Slytherin!'
'Not in Slytherin? You could excel far in Slytherin. Isn't that what you want?' It asked.
'I can do all that in Gryffindor!' Cassi argued. 'Don't place me in Slytherin. I do not belong there.'
Their mental argument continued as everyone waited to hear the outcome. Most would think the Sorting Hat would quickly put Cassi in Slytherin. They didn't understand why it was taking so long. Some of the Professors, who taught at Hogwarts when Sirius was here, weren't completely shocked the Sorting Hat was taking so long. It was just like with Sirius. The Hat had been unsure where to place him when he was here, and it appeared unsure about Cassi as well.
"It seems your mind is set." The Sorting Hat finally said aloud. "Very well, Gryffindor!"
There was surprised silence after the Hat called out, but then Fred and George, who she met on the train and were sorted before her, stood up to start clapping and cheering. Soon the other Gryffindors joined in. Cassi smiled in relief as McGonagall took the hat from her head. Cassi went towards the Gryffindor table with McGonagall watching after her. She really was the daughter of Sirius Black.
"Welcome to Gryffindor!" Fred said as Cassi sat down beside George.
"Yeah, the best house there is." George said. "According to all our brothers anyway."
Cassi's smile brightened while just glad she wasn't placed in Slytherin since she knew it wasn't the place for her.
"Glad you could join us." The redhead across the table said. "I'm Percy Weasley."
Cassi smiled at Percy as Cassi shook his hand in greeting as George pat her on the back.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
Cassi came out of the memory as McGonagall and the First Years made it to the front of the Hall.
"Will you wait around here, please?" McGonagall asked as she held a scroll in hand. "Now before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
Dumbledore stood up from his chair at the center of the table with everyone's eyes turning to him.
"I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce." He spoke clearly. "The First Years, please note that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. And, you upper year students, best remember that as well."
Dumbledore looked in the direction of the twins and Cassi as he finished saying this. Cassi just grinned as she shrugged her shoulders in a 'I feel no guilt whatsoever' manner, which had the twins snickering. Dumbledore shook his head though there was an amused twinkle in his eyes.
"Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank-you."
He sat back down as Cassi's brow quirked with a grin spreading across her face. A place she wasn't supposed to go? She just has to check it out now.
"When I call your name, you will come forth." McGonagall said then lifted the hat. "I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses."
She held up the un-rolled scroll in her other hand, so she could look at the names on the parchment.
"Hermione Granger." She called out clearly.
A frizzy-haired girl walked up the steps then carefully slid onto the stool. Once the Sorting Hat was placed on top, it came to life. The Sorting Hat didn't have to take long to decide as it took a big breath.
"Okay, Gryffindor!" It shouted.
Everyone at the Gryffindor table clapped when receiving a new classmate, and Hermione smiled as she went off to join their table. She sat down next to Percy who pat her arm in greeting.
"Welcome to Gryffindor." Cassi said with a nod.
Hermione thanked Cassi as McGonagall looked at the next name on the list.
"Draco Malfoy."
Draco stepped away from the crowd of first years to the stool as Cassi watched him with narrowed eyes. Draco sat down on the stool. The hat didn't even fully touch Draco's head before it had a decision.
"Slytherin!" It shouted.
Draco looked smugly towards Cassi who rolled her eyes in return. He went to take his seat amongst his fellow Slytherins.
"Susan Bones."
A redheaded girl with a slightly plump face went up to the stool, and the hat was placed upon her head.
"Let's see...I know! Hufflepuff!" The hat cried out.
Everyone from the Hufflepuff table cheered as Susan hurried over to their table.
"Ronald Weasley."
Ron, who Cassi had met the summer between first and second year, went to sit down on the stool. The hat was placed on his head, and poor Ron jumped when it made a sharp 'Ha!'.
"Another Weasley, eh? I know just want to do with you...Gryffindor!" The Sorting Hat shouted.
Cassi clapped and cheered happily for Ron almost as much as his brothers. Ron hurried to the table while sitting down beside Hermione. Fred and George reached over to ruffle their brother's hair as Percy clapped him on the shoulder.
"Harry Potter."
The entire Great Hall became silent as the Boy-Who-Lived walked up to the stool. He sat down with the Sorting Hat being placed on his head. Everyone remained quiet as the hat took its time trying to decide where to place Harry. It seemed like an hour later (Okay big exaggeration) until the Sorting Hat made up its mind.
"Well, if you're sure...better be, Gryffindor!" The Sorting Hat finally shouted.
Loud cheering erupted from the Gryffindor table, and some houses were bummed they didn't get the legendary Harry Potter in their house. Harry hurried to join the Gryffindor table, and he sat down beside Cassi who regarded him curiously with not much of an expression on her face. Harry was greeted rather warmly by the other Gryffindors however, and he had a large grin on his face the entire time. It seemed this year was off to an interesting start. McGonagall and Dumbledore changed a glance before looking back at Harry and Cassi. They wondered how this would workout with the two of them in the same house.
Random: Hope you liked the first chapter! I promise the next one will be longer. And the first two movies will go by pretty fast just so you know.
