Bold*- parstletounge

Italics - thoughts

"Normal"- speech and narrative

Chapter 49: Ending The Year On A High Note

17/6/1994

~~~~~~~~~

Cass was was one of the only ones who actually knew what happened with Sirius and Buckbeak, and as the end of term approached, she heard many different theories about what went down but none of them came close to the truth.

Draco was quite annoyed about Buckbeak getting away but didn't show it around Cassandra for she was finally acting normal around him. In fact, she was acting much happier than usual: which actually scared most of the other houses.

She couldn't help it however. Buckbeak was alive, Sirius was free and Slytherin had actually won the House cup aswell as the Quidditch cup! Potter hadn't done anything special this year so Dumbledore couldn't give him any favouritism meaning the house of green and silver prevailed, finally!

Remus had decided he didn't want to work at the school anymore because of the manipulative headmaster and used the excuse of 'not wanting to harm children like he nearly had' to resign. Before the term ended Cassandra had slipped him a note saying where to apparate to so he could meet them. He would be living at Riddle Manor with them which would be quite interesting.

All the students were sad to see him go as he was frankly the best Defense teacher they ever had.

"Wonder what they'll give us next year?" said Flora.

"Maybe a vampire!" Her twin joked and the group laughed before continuing eating their meal, enjoying the victory while it lasted.

———

18/6/1994

It was the last day of term and the day they would be going back home. The exam results had been given and, no surprises, the Slytherins had all passed - Cass with flying colours. Fred and George had scraped a medium handful of O.W.L.s each, owing to the fact Cassie helped them out a bit with studying.

As the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmede station and people began boarding it, Marcus approached Cassandra. He smiled and she grinned back pulling the boy into a hug. "Hope you have a good life out of school Flint, I hope I'll be seeing you again! I'll miss you!"

"Look after the team for me Riddle!" He stated kissing her cheek. She had really grown on him the last few years and he cared a lot about her, in the same way Blaise did in fact.

Marcus pulled away and Theo, who was a tad red, pulled her along to the compartment that they always inhabited.

On the train ride home Cedric and the twins visited, saying their goodbyes - as did Luna, before hurrying back to girl Weasleys side before anyone saw her.

"It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer! I wish I was going! Stupid mother having another wedding when I actually want to do something!" Blaise sulked.

Pansy rolled her eyes, "you're not the only one missing out Blaise, only Cass and Draco of the group are going!"

"Lucky buggers!" He muttered under his breath.

They enjoyed their lunch and played some exploding snap, Theo and Cass chose to read however. After a few hours Greg looked outside as something caught his eye, "um guys, there's an owl flying on the other side of the window."

Cassandra, who was closest, stood up letting it into the compartment. The small thing zoomed around, bumping into everything. Midnight and Niklaus did not look impressed.

Eventually it stopped and held its leg out to Cass. She took the letter, and began to read it in her head.

Dear Pup,

I hope this finds you well, I just wanted to let you know that I am okay!

Buckbeak and I are in hiding in the place we discussed. I believe the Dementors are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope of finding me here.

I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted therefore you won't need to take up your energy with that fantastic patronus of yours.

Feel free to write to me whenever you need, hopefully we could meet up sometime aswell as I don't want the only glimpse of you to be on the battlefield worrying if you're okay or not.

I'll write again soon.

Sirius

P.S. I thought you might like the enclosed items.

With curious looks from her friends she tucked the letter in her pocket and opened the small package. Inside was one of Buckbeaks feathers turned into a quill, a locket and a framed photo.

Cass opened the locket and gasped at the sight, inside was a picture of a young Sirius holding baby her, he tickled the child making her squirm before placing a kiss on her head. Tears were brewing in Cassandra's eyes now and when she looked at the photo in the frame they began to fall.

Here was a family picture - but not one you would expect from the Black family. Narcissa and Regulus were pulling faces at the camera, before bursting into a fit of giggles. Sirius was giving Bellatrix a piggyback whilst Andromeda was shaking her head at the group, arms crossed with a smile on her face.

It looked perfect and that was what made Cassandra so sad, for it would never be like that again.

Her friends were honestly so confused by Cass's behaviour, especially when she didn't say what had made her so upset or show them the picture. She had just put the locket around her neck and snuggled into Theo for the rest of the train ride. It certainly stopped him from asking questions as his brain was going haywire at the fact she was curled up next to him.

They soon reached platform 9 3/4 and, wishing each other goodbye, Cassandra and Draco made their way to their mothers. Marcus waved from across the platform and jokingly winked. Cass playfully rolled her eyes, before going along with it by blowing him a kiss.

"Who's that sweetheart?" Bellatrix's voice rang out, making Cass freeze.

"That's Marcus Flint mother, he was the Slytherin Quidditch captain however he has just graduated!"

Bellatrix studied the boy, "not bad, he's on our side and he's not that bad looking. Pureblood and Slytherin, powerful as he's a Flint. Good job sweetie!"

"Mum, that's not.. we're not.. he's like Blaise! But he acts more like an annoying younger brother than an older one!"

Bellatrix wasn't listening however, she was muttering how cute they looked together. Draco was silently laughing and Cassandra sighed looking around the platform awkwardly. She suddenly caught eyes with Cedric, he smiled and waved to which she returned with a blush.

Draco and Bella did not notice the small interaction, Narcissa however glanced knowingly between the two. Clearly she had to teach her niece a few tricks or two if she was that oblivious to the fact the boy liked her but was scared to make the first move.

She did wonder who the boy was though, she didn't think he was a Slytherin he looked to kind and carefree to be one. Cassandra wouldn't associate with someone out of Gryffindor in public like this so that was out. So that left Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

Narcissa frankly didn't care what house he was in, as long as he took care of her niece and made her happy it was enough for her - although she doubted the rest of the family would have the same views.