Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

Cassius was still laughing as he and Draco went into their quarters after their last class. "I know it's mean, but he looked so funny!" he giggled. "That pumpkin on his head. I wonder who jinxed him?" There had been a crowd of laughing students and Cassius had been shocked to see Winston bumping into walls because he couldn't see where he was going. Professor Flitwick had come upon them and used a spell to shatter the pumpkin covering his head. Winston had looked beyond embarrassed.

"Could have been anyone," Draco said smoothly. He smirked as he pictured poor little Winston, stumbling down the hall and not able to see anything. The students had had a good laugh at him, even his own housemates had been laughing. "You know that House is known for the pranks they play."

"True," Cassius said as he flopped onto the sofa. "Hey, I've been wanting to ask you something since the attack. When I sent that Patronus message to you, I thought it would be a stag. That was what my Patronus was before."

"It was?" Draco looked thoughtful. "I have read that a Patronus can change, although it's rare. But you have had a major change in your life so it's not completely unexpected."

"Your Patronus is a panther," Cassius pointed out.

"Yup," Draco said proudly. "Uncle Sev taught me the charm my fourth year. It was after that I knew I wanted to eventually learn to become an Animagus. Also, Uncle Sev showed his form and I thought it was so cool."

"Uncle Sev can turn into an animal?" Cassius looked at him eagerly. "What animal?"

"Well," Draco chuckled. "He can turn into a bat."

Silence. Cassius just stared at him and then burst into laughter. "Oh, he really is the bat of the dungeons," he gasped through his laughter.

Draco hid a grin. He had had the same reaction when he had found out, not that his godfather had appreciated it. "Yeah, imagine if the students knew."

"Can we tell them?"

"Do you want to risk Uncle Sev's wrath?"

"No," Cassius said, grinning. "Do you think he would show me?"

"I don't see why he wouldn't," Draco said. "I can show you, too."

"So you really are an Animagus?" Cassius asked excitedly.

"Yes, over this past summer I got registered." Draco said modestly at the way his little brother was looking at him, with something like awe in his eyes. It felt good to know that he could impress his little brother.

"Are you the same as your Patronus?"

Draco looked around the sitting room. It was big enough and he immediately blurred into a big, sleek looking panther.

"Wow," Cassius breathed. He reached out slowly to stroke the panther's head. "You're so soft," he giggled as he scratched behind his ear. Draco let out a contented purr.

"So brilliant," Cassius said as he watched the panther walk around the room. "Do you think I would be a panther too? I could do the spell and take the potion -"

The panther stopped and blurred back into Draco. "Whoa, Cass. You're too young. I started the spell to find out what I would be my sixth year, under Uncle Sev's supervision. It wasn't until this past summer when I actually transformed. So you'll have to wait."

"Can't I just do the spell to find out my form?" Cassius whined. He figured he would be a panther cub like his new Patronus but it wasn't always for certain that your form would take that of your Patronus.

"No," Draco ruffled his hair. "It's dangerous, especially if you're younger. Both the spell and potion are highly advanced and if not done just right, can go very badly. We'll start your sixth year, okay?"

Cassius sighed. "It's different for me though. I have more knowledge than the rest of the second years. I was seventeen not too long ago! I think I should be -"

Draco turned around, a firm expression on his face. He bent down to look Cassius in the eyes. "I said no, Cass. Now drop it."

Cassius opened his mouth to argue but stopped at the stern glint in his brother's eyes. He wasn't going to be able to convince him and likely, he would just get himself into trouble if he continued to try. "Fine." He sighed. He grinned a little mischievously. "I would have thought your form was something else."

Draco smirked. "Let me guess. A snake?"

"No. A ferret." Cassius eyed him innocently. He squealed when Draco launched himself at him, picking him up and throwing him over his shoulder.

"That's it. I'm taking you to the Great Lake and throwing you in." Draco said, heading for the door.

"No, no!" Cassius giggled. "I was just kidding! Of course you're a panther, a fierce and strong panther!"

Draco paused and pretended to think. "Well..."

"Come on, let me down. Please?" Cassius wiggled but couldn't break his brother's strong hold.

"Oh, all right," Draco dumped Cassius on the sofa and gave him a mock glare. "I hope you learned your lesson."

"Don't I always?" Cassius asked cheekily.

Draco laughed and pulled him up. "I wish."

"I really was just kidding," Cassius said earnestly. "You aren't mad that I mentioned the ferret thing, are you?"

"No," Draco said. "It was a long time ago and I was being a prat so I probably deserved it."

"No, it was mean. But then fake Moody was insane," Cassius said. "Too bad because he was one of the better teachers, ironically. I mean, compared to Lockhart, Quirrell, Umbridge..." he shuddered.

Draco paled. "I'm so sorry about her. I hated her, but I was pretending to like her. I was sort of acting undercover, wanting to know what was going on. Plus, I knew it was expected of me to act like I supported her. But what she did to you...I'm so sorry. I didn't find out until after she was gone from the school about the Blood Quill." Even though he had believed his brother was Harry Potter, even though he had told himself he didn't like him he had been disgusted by what that stupid cow had done.

Cassius shrugged. "I was able to take it."

It broke Draco's heart, how casual Cass could be about it. "It was torture, it shouldn't have happened to any student." He said quietly.

"Yeah," Cassius was quiet for a moment. "I didn't really tell anyone what was happening in her detentions."

"Why didn't you?" Draco asked.

"Part of it was pride, I guess. I didn't want her to know I was bothered by it. But really, I guess I just didn't feel like I had someone to go to. I know Sirius would have cared but I also knew he was having a hard time being on the run and I didn't want to add to his worries."

"Cass," Draco said, feeling his heart break. His brother had been tortured and had worried about others instead of himself. Cassius's heart was so kind, so compassionate. Merlin, he loved this kid.

"See, I didn't have anyone I trusted to be able to handle it," Cassius looked up at Draco and beamed. "But now I do. If someone hurt me like that again, I know I could come to you and you would be able to handle it."

"I would," Draco said hoarsely, seriously wanting to cry. His little brother really did trust him. "I promise Cass, I will always be here to help you with anything. We can get through anything together." He hugged his brother and Cassius held onto him tight.

/

A few days later, after his last class of the day, Cassius looked out the window at the nice day outside as they exited their Charms class. "Let's go see Hagrid!" he said suddenly to his friends. He hadn't even talked to Hagrid since the truth about his identity had been revealed. He felt bad about that, Hagrid had been his first real friend. Thinking about that, he completely forgot that he was supposed to wait for Hermione to escort him to his quarters.

"Hagrid?" Jason exchanged a look with Enzo. "Is he nice? We've never talked to him before."

"He's the nicest," Cassius assured them. "Come on!"

Running outside, they made their way to Hagrid's hut. Fang bounded out and welcomed them.

"Hey, Fang," Cassius pet the big dog.

"Cassius," Hagrid stepped out, beaming. "I'm glad yeh came to visit me!"

"Sorry I haven't been around," Cassius said, wondering if Hagrid was bothered by his new appearance. "Things have been crazy."

"Ah, I heard," Hagrid grew more solemn. "I'm sorry fer what's happened to yeh. But I'm glad yeh have a real family now."

"Thanks!" Cassius grinned. "These are my new friends, Jason and Enzo."

"Good to meet yeh," Hagrid said. "Want some tea and rock cakes?"

"What are rock cakes?" Enzo asked in a whisper as they went inside.

"Uh, just pretend to eat them," Cassius warned them with a laugh.

Inside, Hagrid told entertaining stories about some of the creatures he had come across recently. Jason and Enzo were clearly fascinated and Cassius was happy they had come with him. He had laughed to himself when Enzo had tried to eat the rock cake. Enzo's eyes had widened as his teeth had practically gotten stuck in it.

"Told you to pretend to eat it," Cassius laughed.

There was a frantic knock on the door and Hagrid went to open it. "Hi, Hermione."

"Hagrid have you seen...Cassius!" Hermione said in relief as she entered the hut. "There you are."

"What's wrong?" Cassius asked.

Hermione looked at him in disapproval. "You were supposed to wait for me after your Charms class. Remember?"

"Oh," Cassius stood up. "I forgot. Sorry."

"Sorry? I've been looking everywhere for you!" Hermione scolded. "You know you have to have an escort. How could you have forgotten?"

Flushing from embarrassment at being scolded in front of his friends, Cassius glared at her. "Geez Hermione, stop being a bloody prat about it. I was just here visiting Hagrid."

Hermione pursed her lips but before she could respond, a very angry looking Draco appeared behind her. He glared at Cassius. "That is not okay, Cass. I don't want to hear language like that from you again. Apologize to her. Right now."

"Sorry Mione," Cass mumbled, his face flushing

"I didn' know he wasn' supposed to be here," Hagrid said apologetically.

"It's not your fault, Hagrid," Draco said, stern eyes were on his brother. "Let's go, Cassius. We need to have a talk."

Cassius glumly followed his brother back into the castle. It's not like he meant to forget! And then Hermione had to talk to him like he was a bloody toddler! And in front of his friends, so embarrassing.

Once in their quarters, Draco immediately rounded on Cassius and held him in place by the arm. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?" He asked sternly. "I was afraid someone had hurt you or taken you!"

Cassius rolled his eyes, yelping when that earned him a swat to his backside. "Why would someone take me?" He pouted as he rubbed the sting out of his bottom.

"I've lost you before!" Draco snapped, still holding Cassius's arm. "And in case you don't remember, you were recently attacked!"

Cassius was quiet for a moment. "I know. I'm sorry. I really did just forget. I realized I hadn't visited Hagrid since everything happened and I wanted Enzo and Jason to meet him. I just forgot."

Draco let him go and walked across the room, pacing slightly. "You can't forget. You're too important to me, Cass."

"It was just a mistake," Cassius insisted. "And I wasn't alone or anything."

"Until I received Hermione's message, I was terrified," Draco said, his voice a little hoarse. "I didn't know if you were okay."

"I'm sorry," Cassius offered. "I didn't mean to forget." He couldn't remember anyone being so worried about him before. It was a little strange but nice, in a way. It was nice to matter so much to someone.

Draco stared at him for a moment before relaxing. "Okay. I believe you. But it can't happen again. Hermione would have taken you to see Hagrid, if you had asked. Or I would have. And by the way, I better never hear you speak to an adult the way you spoke to her. You're lucky I'm not washing your mouth out." He said sternly.

"She embarrassed me!" Cassius protested. "She stormed in scolding me like I was a five years old! In front of my friends!"

Draco ran a hand through his hair. He could understand his brother's embarrassment, he would have felt the same way if it was him. Especially at that age. "She was just worried for you, I'm sure she didn't mean to embarrass you. But you still shouldn't have spoken to her that way." He said finally.

Cassius sighed. "I'm sorry." He watched his brother a little warily, not sure if he was going to be punished further or not. When Draco simply opened his arms, Cassius went into his embrace with relief. "You're not mad anymore?"

"No," Draco held him tight. "I was scared, Cass. When Hermione alerted me that she couldn't find you, I was so scared that something had happened to you."

"I'm really sorry," Cassius said, relishing being held. Another thing he never had as a kid. Someone to just hold him. "I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know," Draco chuckled. "You don't have to apologize anymore."

There was a knock on the door and Draco went to open it. "Hermione," He greeted, letting her inside.

"Hi," Hermione bit her lip. "I just wanted to apologize to Cassius."

"To me?" Cassius asked in surprise.

"I shouldn't have scolded you like that," Hermione said regretfully. "I embarrassed you and I'm sorry. I was just worried and my words came out wrong."

"It's okay," Cassius said. "I'm sorry I was rude to you. I didn't mean it."

"I know," Hermione said with a smile. "Anyway, I walked Enzo and Jason to their common room. They were worried about you." She glanced at Draco with a sneaky grin. "They weren't sure if Draco would string you up by your thumbs."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"He's only done that once," Cassius joked.

"Funny. You really shouldn't give me ideas," Draco said lightly, an amused gleam in his eyes.

Hermione bit back a laugh. "I'm glad you've made more friends." She said honestly to Cassius.

"They're nice," Cassius said softly. "Actually, Jason reminds me of you," He grinned. "He studies a lot. Not on your level, but getting there."

Hermione laughed.

Draco watched with amusement. He was impressed with Hermione, coming here to apologize to Cass. Not many would, not to a twelve year old. He had thought of her as a know it all, and she probably was but he could now see she was very caring to Cassius.

"Um, Hermione? Do you still talk to Ron?" Cassius asked after a moment.

"No, not really," Hermione said softly. "He wasn't who I thought he was."

"He still hates me, huh?" Cassius tried to sound nonchalant but sadness filled his eyes. "I'm still me. Just, um, younger and blonder."

Hermione laughed. "I know. Ron just...can't get past it, I guess. Apparently he still has some growing up to do."

Cassius glanced at Draco. "Maybe Ron should stand in the corner." he suggested teasingly. "Or get his mouth washed out."

Draco snorted. "If I could make that happen, I would."

Hermione snickered at the thought. "Mrs. Weasley has sent some letters admonishing him for his behavior. Ginny too."

"How do you know?"

"They were Howlers," Hermione said smugly. "Sent straight to the Tower."

"Oh," Cassius couldn't help it. He grinned.

/

"Ah, my friend," Dumbledore sighed as he sat back in his seat. "I fear young Cassius is not receiving my letters."

Fawkes gave a low trill from his perch in Dumbledore's study. The former headmaster now resided in a modest sized cottage, a tracker placed around his ankle as the only punishment the Ministry had given him. For a year he would be monitored and was forbidden from going to Hogwarts. The castle, a place that he had always thought of as his home. Now he lived in Castle Combe, Wiltshire where he kept to himself. He missed Hogwarts, he missed his students and professors. It was his own fault, he had known one day the truth could be found out. All he wanted to do was apologize again to Cassius and try to make him understand but the child had not responded to any of his letters which made him believe they were being kept from him. He supposed the boy could be ignoring him but he felt Cassius would have responded at least once.

"I just want to talk to the child," Dumbledore sighed.

"The boy should be grateful," Twitchy muttered as he set a cup of tea on Dumbledore's desk. "He was famous."

"He just wanted a family," Dumbledore said quietly.

Twitchy snorted. "Malfoys not a good family. But if you desires to speak with the young Malfoy, Twitchy can bring him here."

Dumbledore gave a sad chuckle. "I do not think that would go over very well. Although, I do miss the boy."

Twitchy gazed at the wistful look on his master's face. If Dumbledore wanted to speak with the young Malfoy brat, then Twitchy would bring him here. Whether the brat wanted to or not.

TBC: Next chapter Cassius shows his friends the secret passageway to Honeydukes, much to the displeasure of his brother...