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Draco was walking him to his first class, even though Cassius had told him he didn't have to. Merlin, he had spent enough years here, he knew his way around. But Draco hadn't agreed.

"You aren't to walk around alone, remember?" Draco had responded.

So, Cass had sighed and given in and on their way he noticed Remus and Snape walking towards them.

"Hey pup," Remus greeted warmly.

Cassius took a tentative step forward. "Remus – I mean, Professor." he corrected himself.

"You can still call me Remus when we are not in class," Remus said. He opened his arms and Cassius eagerly accepted the hug.

"You're not mad?" Cassius asked anxiously. He had worried if Remus would be mad at him, just like he worried what Sirius would have said about it, if he was still here.

"Oh, I'm mad," Remus responded.

Cassius froze.

Draco growled softly and took a step forward but Snape held him back.

"I'm furious, actually. Furious that the Dursley's were cruel to you and furious with Albus for what he did to you," Remus pulled Cassius back. "You're still the same kid I taught the Patronus Charm to. I still love you, pup. Nothing has changed in that regard." He said seriously.

Cassius gave him a bright smile, full of relief. "I was afraid you would feel different, or hate me like Ron..." he trailed off.

"Never," Remus said.

"Would Sirius have – do you think he -"

"He would have been shocked," Remus admitted with a chuckle. "But no, he wouldn't have stopped loving you. Sirius was loyal and he considered you family." He tilted his head to the side. "Actually, you are related to him. He and your mother were cousins."

Cassius smiled sadly. "I miss him."

"So do I," Remus said, squeezing his shoulder affectionately. "So what did you think of the news that I'm Head of Gryffindor?" He chuckled. "Should keep me busy." His face grew more solemn. "If any of the Gryffindors make trouble for you, let me know and I'll take care of it. All right?"

Cassius made a face. "You want me to tattle?"

"No, I want you tell me if you are being bullied in any way."

"That's tattling," Cassius sighed.

"No, it's not," Draco spoke up. "Tattling is when you want to get someone into trouble, usually for something minor. Telling is protecting yourself or another student from being hurt. If the situation calls for an adult, then you need to tell one."

"Exactly," Remus nodded.

"I expect you to tell me if someone tries anything with you," Draco said seriously.

Cassius sighed. It made sense but it wasn't something he usually did. "I'll try."

Draco didn't look to happy about that but didn't say anything more.

/

After seeing Cass to his class, Draco made his way back to where Snape and Remus were still talking.

"I do have a visit to make to the Dursley's," Snape was saying.

"I should go," Draco growled. He would love for a chance to express his displeasure to the muggles who hurt his cub.

"No, you should stay and watch out for your brother," Snape said pointedly. "Let me deal with them."

Remus cleared his throat. "I'll go with you. They let Harry die in their care, they abused Cassius. I would like to have a few words with them as well," His grin a little feral. "They won't mind a werewolf in their home, will they?"

Snape couldn't help but grin. He may not be that fond of Lupin, although of all the Marauders he had been the least annoying. But in this, he could overlook his feelings toward him. "Let's find out. After classes are finished?"

Remus nodded.

/

Snape popped into the Dursley home on Pivot Drive, enjoying their fearful screams immensely. They had abused two children in their care. His godson and son of the woman he had once loved. Yes, he would enjoy their fear.

"You're one of those freaks!" Vernon Dursley yelled.

"I am a professor at Hogwarts," Snape sneered.

"The boy isn't supposed to return, he's an adult," Petunia added. "So why are you here?"

Snape just stared at them.

"Who is he?" An grown and overweight teenager demanded. "Made him go away, I want to go out to dinner!"

Snape looked at the boy's overly large stomach. "You could stand to miss a dinner or two." He took out three vials. "Drink these."

"No!" Vernon protested.

Snape sighed and simply spelled the potions into them. It would recover their memories of what they did to Harry Potter.

Petunia gasped as the memories resurfaced. "We – wait a second. But the boy died so then who, who was it we raised?"

"Raise? You didn't raise either of them, you neglected them." Snape snapped. "Your nephew died in your care."

"The freak was sick, we didn't want to be contaminated," Vernon snarled. "And whoever that next boy was, he was a freak too. In face, we should be compensated for taking care of him." He yelped as he was suddenly flung across the room.

"Exactly what care did you give him? He slept in a cupboard and when you finally gave him a room, you locked him in. You starved him and used him like a servant. You didn't even buy him clothes." Snape shouted, his face full of fury.

"He wasn't even my nephew!" Vernon protested as he got up, wincing.

"You didn't know that! And look what you did your nephew. Five years old, sick and you lock him away and don't check on him," Snape glared at Petunia. "You make me sick. How could Lily, who was beautiful and kind, have such a disgusting sister?"

Petunia's face went red and she looked away.

"You know, the Potters were quite popular. In fact, one of their best friends is also now a professor at Hogwarts. He's less than pleased that his best friends son died in your supposed care. He'd like to talk to you about it." Snape said smugly.

Remus appareated in, causing the Durlseys to again scream. "So these are them," he frowned.

"Get out of our house!" Vernon shouted.

Remus twirled his wand. "Did you tell them I'm a werewolf?" He asked casually.

"No," Snape smirked.

The Dursley's froze. "You're a what?" Petunia whispered.

"Werewolf," Remus barred his teeth, which had grown more pointed. His eyes flashed amber.

Petunia screamed and hid behind Vernon, pulling Dudley with her.

"You really are despicable people," Snape said, circling them. "To hurt the children the way you did."

"And they feel no remorse," Remus growled, making the Dursley's flinch.

"We -we didn't know the boy would die," Vernon said shakily.

"If your son was five and sick, would you have locked him away and not gotten him any medicine?" Snape asked sarcastically.

"Of course not!" Vernon said. "But Dudley's our son. We didn't want that freak in our home."

Remus glanced at Snape. "They will never be sorry for what they did." He said, horrified by the fact Cassius had been raised by these horrible people. And poor Harry...

"Too bad for them," Snape said as he waved his wand a murmured a spell.

"What did you do?" Petunia asked fearfully.

"Every time you dream, you will relive the horrors of what you made those two children go through," Snape said. "You will never have a restful sleep. Unless, you have true remorse for what you did. Since that seems unlikely, you will never have a restful sleep for the rest of your lives." He smiled cruelly. "I wonder how long you will last." he said with mock thoughtfulness.

Remus smirked as he cast his own spell on them. He tucked his wand in his sleeve. "Ready to go?"

"Yes," Snape turned to Petunia. "If your son had shown up on Lily's doorstep, she would have loved and cared for him. No wonder everyone in your family preferred her. No wonder your parents were so proud of her and disappointed in you. You are a monster." He spat.

Petunia paled.

Before apparating away, Snape glanced at Remus. "What did you cast?"

"Oh, I thought one of the horrors in their dreams could occasionally show a werewolf after them." Remus smirked. "And perhaps even when they are awake they will believe they are being chased by a werewolf. I suppose all their neighbors and friends will think them quite odd."

Snape nodded in approval. "I'm impressed."

/

Classes weren't too bad for Cassius. He sat with Enzo and Jason, and although some of the material sounded familiar he didn't remember everything. His first time doing second year had been a hard one with hearing the Basilisk and trying to avoid Lockhart. Defense and Charms he still understood and the homework wasn't hard for him. Potions wasn't as bad now that Snape was nice to him, though still a difficult class, and History of Magic was still a big bore and Transfiguration homework was still a struggle for him. He did like Enzo and Jason and was grateful that they accepted him so readily. He was in a good mood after getting another check up by Pomfrey and happily walked with Draco to their quarters. However, Draco had news for him that he didn't like at all.

Cassius's mouth dropped open at what his brother was saying. "You have to be kidding!"

"Cass, Madam Pomfrey just wants you to gain a little more weight before playing Quidditch," Draco said, rubbing his temples. He' d known this wasn't going to go over well and he wasn't in the mood to argue with his brother. He still had a paper for Transfiguration to finish and a Defense test to prepare for. Never mind the extra the study for the N.E.W.T.'s exam.

"I'm fine! I can play!"

"You're eating well and have already started to gain weight. You'll probably be able to play in the next game," Draco said as he pulled his text books out of his book bag.

"I can play now," Cassius insisted. "Pomfrey is just being -"

"Careful? Diligent?" Draco sat down, spreading his papers and books on the coffee table. "You'll wait until she clears you." He began going over his notes.

"I'm playing and that's that."

Draco paused, his eyes lifting to meet his brother's defiant ones. "Quidditch is a privilege, not a right. You might want to remember that."

Cassius eyes narrowed. Quidditch had been taken from too much. Fourth year there were no games becomes of that stupid tournament, fifth year Umbridge banned him and then sixth year he was plagued by nightmares from what had happened at the ministry that he hadn't felt much like playing. Now he could play without having such a burden on his shoulders and it was being taken from him again! "I'm playing no what you or Pomfrey say." He spat out. "So there!"

Draco leaned back on the chair he was sitting on. His posture was relaxed but his eyes hardened. "Go stand in the corner until your attitude improves." He said finally.

Cassius's mouth dropped open. "What? The corner? But that's for little kids!"

"Little, disobedient kids," Draco agreed. "Now go do as I said."

"No -"

"Here's what is going to happen," Draco said in a low voice. "You can go stand in the corner and get it over with or you can get your bottom warmed and then go stand in the corner. Decide now, because if I do, you won't like the choice."

Feeling very wronged, Cassius stomped to the corner and stood facing the walls. This wasn't fair, he just wanted to be able to play! Plus he wasn't some child, he had been seventeen for Merlin's sake! Okay, maybe he was acting like a bit of a brat. But Draco was just being unreasonable...well, maybe not. His brother did say he would probably gain enough weight by the next game...Cassius bit his lip, feeling incredibly young and ashamed. He'd acted like the child he kept trying to deny he was.

Draco worked on his homework for ten minutes, although he was very aware of the slumped shoulders of his brother. He put down his quill. "Cass, turn around." He smiled a little at the chastened look on Cassius's face. At least it didn't look like his brother was going to argue with him anymore. "Do you have anything to say?" he asked gently.

"I'm sorry, Draco," Cassius said in a small voice. "I was being a brat." His big brother opened his arms and Cassius walked across the room into his embrace.

"I do understand you want to play, Cass," Draco said softly, resting his chin on the top of his brother's head. "I'm not trying to keep from the game to make you miserable. I just want you healthy and safe as well as happy."

"I know," Cassius said. "It just feels like it's been so long since I've been able to enjoy playing again. You know? The last few years haven't been that great."

Draco tightened his hold on his brother. "I know that. And I'm so sorry. I want you to be happy, you know that right?"

"Yes," Cassius smiled as he pulled back. "I do know that." he assured Draco.

"Perhaps we can add an extra nutritional potion for you to take," Draco said thoughtfully. "I'll ask Uncle Sev about it. And how about this, I won't play in the upcoming game either."

"What?" Cassius looked at him in surprise. "You'd really do that?"

"Of course," Draco said honestly.

"Draco, I want you to play. I want Slytherin to win," Cassius said with a grin. "If I can't play, I can at least cheer you on." He looked at the table full of Draco's books and notes. "I guess I should do my homework too."

"You think?" Draco laughed and sent Cassius off to his room with a playful swat. "Bring your books in here, we can get through our homework together."

Grinning, Cassius scampered off to his room.

/

A couple weeks later, Cassius was in the library with Jason and Enzo. "I hate Transfiguration," Enzo grumbled, closing his textbook.

"Me too," Cassius agreed, looking at his half done homework. It had always been one of his more difficult classes. Even with having gone through six years of Transfiguration, he still was having trouble! Trouble with second year Transfiguration, which should be easy for him. So embarrassing. After all, he had done it before. But the truth was, because of all the drama he had gone through over the years, studying had never been a priority to him. If it wasn't for Hermione pushing him to study, his grades would probably have rarely been passing. Now they had a test in Transfiguration in a couple of days. He had thought about asking Draco for help but didn't want his brother to know how bad he was at the subject. Plus Draco had a lot of homework of his own to do. Cassius bit his lip, he'd also missed turning in a couple of assignments, although he had assured Professor Weasley that he would get them done. He just hoped Draco didn't find out.

"We should play exploding snap," Enzo suggested.

"But we need to study," Jason protested.

Enzo rolled his eyes good-naturedly "How were you not placed in Ravenclaw?"

Jason made a face.

"Come on, we're just taking a little break," Cassius coaxed. "Our brains need rest."

Jason laughed. "We've barely even started working, but all right."

Grinning, Cassius pushed his books to the side of the table and took out the cards. He'd worry about homework later.

/

A few days later, Draco stopped Cass on his way to the kitchen. "Hey, how did your Transfiguration test go?" Draco asked somewhat absently. "Did you get your grade yet?" He glanced up at his brother from his homework.

"Um, I did good," Cassius hesitated. "I got an E." he lied, hoping Draco couldn't tell. His real grade had actually been a P but he was too embarrassed to tell Draco that.

Draco smiled warmly at him, making Cassius feel even more guilty. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," Cassius said weakly. "I was going to get some juice, do you want some?"

"Sure, thanks," Draco said, turning his attention back to his homework.

Cassius went into the kitchen. He felt completely wretched, lying to Draco. He wasn't supposed to lie, but it's not like he would find out. Right? He'd never had anyone get on him about his grades before...well, except for Hermione. He doubted Professor Weasley would tell on him, after all, when McGonagall had been teaching she had never told the Dursleys. And he had promised Bill he would catch up and study harder. Bill had been pretty cool about it, actually.

"Here you go," Cassius handed Draco his juice.

"Thanks," Draco said, taking a sip. "Your homework done?"

"Uh, almost," Cassius hedged. He still had quite a bit to do, considering he needed to catch up on his Transfiguration assignments.

"Go finish and then we'll play some chess," Draco offered.

"Really? Brilliant," Cassius perked up, heading back to his room to get some of the homework done. He could do the rest tomorrow.

TBC: