A/N- Thanks to everyone who's following this story and leaving reviews. They're very encouraging! I'll be putting these out pretty quickly because I've been laid up with a broken ankle and a lot of time on my hands.

Also, if you're enjoying this fanfic please share with your HP loving friends.

Chapter 3

Cassie woke up in the sunny guest bedroom of the Potters cottage feeling a bit confused. She sat up and the previous night came rushing back. She sighed and slid off the bed to get dressed.

She looked at the small clock on the bedside table. It was already after eight o'clock. She quickly dressed and left the room, going down the hall towards the kitchen.

Lily and James were already there, speaking in quiet tones, but then Harry came running up behind her, and his footsteps made them stop.

"Hey Cassie! Do you play quidditch? We should play later, you'll love it!" Harry exclaimed, jumping up down as they went into the kitchen. Lily smiled at Cassie and gave Harry a look. "Harry please calm down. There will be plenty of time for quidditch later. Sit down and eat some breakfast."

James set a plate of toast down on the table then left to get Minnie, who had started yelling. "Did you sleep alright Cassie?" Lily asked her, serving Harry scrambled eggs. Cassie nodded, her mouth full of toast with marmalade.

After breakfast Harry brought Cassie outside to look at the broomsticks. "This ones dad's, and this ones mine! From Uncle Padfoot. And this little ones Minnie's." he said enthusiastically. "Uncle Padfoot? Is that a nickname?" Cassie asked him curiously. Harry nodded. "Yeah his real name is Sirius, but Padfoot is his nickname. He's one of dad's best friends. And Uncle Remus is too."

Cassie's head was spinning with all the information Harry was giving her at once. She knew she would be happy here.

The days passed and Cassie settled into a routine. It felt nice to have someone tucking you in at night, and reading stories to you, and kissing you good morning. She was happier then she had ever been before.

September 1st, Kings Cross Station

Cassie stood on platform 9 3/4 hugging Lily, James, Harry, and Minnie. She jumped onto the train and waved goodbye. She walked down the corridor and tried to find an empty compartment. She was almost at the end when she found an almost empty one.

"Hello? Do you mind if I sit in here? All the other compartments are full." A boy with brown hair and handsome brown eyes looked up at her and shook his head. Cassie sat down. "I'm Cedric Diggory." the boy said looking at her deep red hair. "Cassandra Potter. Cassie for short. Nice to meet you." Cedric nodded.

Suddenly two figures ran into the compartment and slammed the glass door shut. Cassie stared at the bright red hair and shabby looking robes. They turned around and looked surprised to see other people. "Oh hello, didn't know there were other people in here."

Cassie continued to stare at them. They looked exactly the same. "I'm Fred and he's George. Weasley. We're identical twins if you were wondering. Hello Cedric!" Fred and George sat down next to Cedric and he smiled. The twins turned their gaze to Cassie.

"Cassandra Potter. Or Cassie for short." The two boys nodded. All four of jumped in surprise when a knock came on the door and it opened. A tall red headed boy resembling Fred and George stepped inside. "There you two are. Don't run off like that. Here's your sandwiches. Stay in the compartment please, I promised Mum." With that he left.

The twins rolled their eyes and stuffed the sandwiches into a small bag at their feet. "That's our brother Bill. He's a prefect, so he knows everything." Fred said with a smirk. Cassie smiled at him. "Do you play quidditch? What's your favorite team?"

A few hours later the train stopped with a jerk. Cassie stood up taking her small bag with her. All four of them had already changed into robes. She was feeling a bit nervous. She followed Cedric out of the compartment and off the train. A big burly man was calling out, "First years this way! Over here!"

She kept close to Cedric, not wanting to be left behind. They followed the rest of the first years down a very steep, dark path. It led to a lake, and across the lake was Hogwarts. It was beautiful. She got in a boat with him and twins, who had been following behind her. They made their way across the lake, the boats skimming along smoothly. They reached the other side in no time.

Once on the other side, they got out of the boats and followed the big man, who had said he was named Hagrid. He led them inside into a hallway, stopping in front of a door. Someone was standing next to it.

"I am Professor McGonagall. I will take you into the great hall to be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. You will be sorted and then will sit at your respective table for the feast. Understood?" There was a flurry of heads nodding.

She opened the door and led them inside. She lined them up against a wall, then went to stand beside a stool with an old patched hat on it. The hat sang a song about the sorting, and there was applause as it finished.

McGonagall began calling out names. After a while she came to Cedric. "Diggory, Cedric!" He gave her a bright smile and went to the stool. He sat down and pulled the hat down on his head. After a moment the hat yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!" and the table of Hufflepuffs cheered as Cedric went to sit at the table.

Several more names were called, and there were a few shouts of "GRYFFINDOR!" and a couple of "SLYTHERIN!" and the occasional Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

It seemed like hours before Cassie's name was called. "Potter, Cassandra." She walked over to the stool, trying not to run. She sat down and put the hat on. A voice suddenly spoke inside her ears. "Ahh yes. You are the muggleborn who was adopted by the Potters. I think you would be best in HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuffs cheered as Cassie quickly walked to the table and Cedric slid down the bench to make a spot for her. After more names, the Weasley twins were sorted into Gryffindor, the headmaster gave a few words, and the feast began. Cassie had never seen so much food all in one place. It was delicious, and by the time she was done, she felt very full and sleepy.

The prefects showed the way to the dorms and Cedric and Cassie said goodnight and went to bed. Cassie lay in her bed, and felt happier then she had ever been.

Hogwarts. It feels like home.