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

When Draco's N.E.W.T.s results came, he was relieved to see he had received seven O's and one E. It was gratifying to know all his hard work had paid off and now he could concentrate on being Snape's apprentice and teaching potions to the younger years in the upcoming term. He was excited for the next chapter in his life and also thankful that he would still be at Hogwarts with Cassius. He watched his brother open his own grades. "How did you do, cub?"

Cassius read his report card. "I got an E in Transfiguration!" he said excitedly. In fact, he had received all E's and O's except for History of Magic, which was an A.

Draco took the report card and read it over. "Good job, Cass! I'm really proud of you!" He pulled Cass in for a hug.

"Even though I only got an Acceptable in History of Magic?"

"Yes. I know that class is boring and therefore a struggle." Draco said. "You're trying and I'm proud of that. You've also raised your grades from the first time you did second year, which is fantastic."

"You looked at my past report cards?" Cassius asked in surprise.

"Of course," Draco said.

Cassius snorted. He supposed it was a given that Draco would check to see how he had done previously.

"But I expect to see that A brought up to an E," Draco said. "I know you can do it and I expect you to try."

"Okay."

"Have you started your summer assignments?"

Cassius blinked. "No. Summer just started. Besides, we haven't gotten my third year books yet." He reminded his brother. And anyway, who wanted to think of assignments when summer was just beginning?

"It will go by fast," Draco warned. "It's better to start now and not risk waiting till the end of vacation. What homework do you have?"

"I have essays in potions, transfiguration and charms," Cassius said. "I have to read and summarize a chapter in my book for Herbology. Same with Defence. Oh, and make a chart for Astronomy."

"We'll go to Diagon Alley later in the summer but I'll order your books for you today," Draco told him. "That way you can get started."

"Okay," Cassius agreed. "Can we get ice cream and go to the Quidditch shop when we go? And the twins shop?"

"If you behave," Draco teased.

/

So far, this was best summer Cassius had ever had. He and Draco did a lot of flying in their yard, visiting Uncle Sev at his home, went to a Quidditch game and Draco even took him on a trip to Barcelona where they rode cable cars, visited an amusement park and watched the water fountain show. Cassius had a great time and couldn't stop talking about it even after they got back home. It was his very first vacation and he had written all his friends about it. Draco finally had to force him to start his homework which Cassius had reluctantly done. At least he had his brother to help him with it, especially as Draco insisted on checking each one of his assignments, even making him redo a couple that he felt could be better. He supposed this was to be expected with a brother who was now a teacher.

August tenth was Cassius's birthday and he was officially a teenager. Again. For his birthday, Draco and Snape had taken him to dinner and then the forest so they could play in their Animagus forms. The next day, Draco and Cassius went to the Weasley's as Mrs. Weasley had invited them over to celebrate. Thankfully, Ron and Ginny had made themselves scarce.

"Happy birthday, dear boy," Mrs. Weasley hugged Cassius.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Cassius said warmly. He grinned when she hugged Draco.

"Uh," Draco's face turned slightly red. "Thank you for having us over. It means a lot to Cass."

"Of course dear. You are family," Mrs. Weasley said happily, patting him on the shoulder.

"Great," Draco said weakly. He heard a laugh behind him and turned to see Hermione watching.

"Happy birthday Cassius!" Hermione said, hugging Cass and handing him a wrapped gift. She turned to Draco and smirked. "Having fun?" she asked innocently.

"Of course," Draco grimaced. "Apparently I'm family." he said somewhat snidely. Family to the Weasleys...never would he have imagined...

The floo flared again and Snape stepped through. He looked around the burrow and sighed when he heard all the noise. "I'm only here because Cassius wanted me to come." he informed Draco. "I have not developed a defense against his puppy dog look when he wants something."

"Same here," Draco laughed.

"Severus! Come and have a drink!" Mr. Weasley called from the sitting room.

Snape had a reluctant look on his face as he went to join the adults.

Hermione chuckled and then watched Cassius talking animatedly to the twins. "Cass's last letter to me was all about the fun he was having," she said. "I'm so happy he has you. Usually during the summers..." she trailed off.

"He had to put up with the Dursleys," Draco said, his voice hardening.

Hermione nodded. "Sometimes he would ask Dumbledore if he could stay at Hogwarts or stay here with the Wealeys, but Dumbledore always made him spend a few weeks at least with them." she said shaking her head. "He would always be so thin, so withdrawn after being with them. But now," she smiled. "He's thriving. He's happy. Thanks to you."

Draco flushed slightly and offered a smile. "I'm trying to do right by him."

"You are," Hermione assured him as they stepped into he living room. Streamers and confetti suddenly fell from the ceiling and Draco gruffly brushed them off his head. "Nice, guys." he said sarcastically to the twins.

Fred and George snickered. "Sorry Malfoy -"

"Or should we say professor -"

"Once you become a teacher -"

"You become a target for our pranks!"

"Everyone is a target for your pranks!" Draco snapped, his gaze softening as he watched Cassius laugh. His little brother looked so happy. He supposed it was worth putting up with the twins antics if it made Cass smile like that.

/

A week after the party, Draco took Cassius to Diagon Alley to get some supplies for the upcoming year.

"I need to make a stop at the Apothecary," Draco said, looking at the list he had made. "And the stationary store."

Cassius made a face. Draco would likely spend forever at the Apothecary. "Can't we go to the twins joke shop first? Or the Quidditch store?" He tried not to sound whiny, he was thirteen now, but by the look on Draco's face he didn't succeed.

"We'll go after," Draco said firmly. "First the Apothecary and stationary store and then we can go to the joke shop and Quidditch store. If you behave," he added.

Cassius sighed. "I could go on my own." he suggested.

"I told you no, Cass. You may not go off by yourself," Draco said, adding some sternness to his voice. There were still a couple of death eaters free, though they weren't considered as dangerous as Carrow and Bellatrix. Plus there was the risk of running into Rita Skeeter or running into people who still had a problem with Cassius not being the real Harry Potter. No, Draco didn't feel it was safe for Cass to be alone. Honestly, Cassius was lucky he brought him to Diagon Alley at all. He had almost lost his brother to Bellatrix just a few months ago and did not want his brother out of his sight. Was he being overprotective? Yes. Did he care? No. He couldn't lose Cass again. He loved the kid too much to risk it.

"But I'm thirteen now!"

"So? What is your point?" Draco asked as he guided his brother through the crowded streets. Cassius still looked younger than he was and was still a bit smaller than his peers. He was healthier than he had been but his growth had definitely been affected by the muggles treatment of him and by that blasted aging potion Dumbledore had given him.

"I guess I don't have one," Cassius said grumpily. His brother treated him like he was five!

"Wotcher Cassius! Wotcher Draco!" Hagrid appeared, giving them a big smile.

"Hi Hagrid!" Cassius greeted as he and Draco stopped to say hi.

"Good afternoon, Hagrid," Draco said with a nod.

"Gettin' yer supplies?"

"Yeah. But first Draco has to go to the Apothecary," Cassius sighed. "I wanted to visit the Weasley's shop but if I know my brother, he's going to spend hours in the Apothecary."

"Cassius -" Draco began, a touch of sternness in his voice.

"I'm headin' that way," Hagrid interrupted. "To the Weasley's shop. I could take him."

"I don't think -" Draco began.

"Please Draco? Please?" Cassius begged. "I'll be safe with Hagrid and the twins."

Draco hesitated. He was reluctant to let Cassius out of his sight, although his brother would just whine the whole time they were at the Apothecary. "Okay." he said finally. He eyed his brother sternly. "But mind me, Cass. You do not leave Hagrid's sight. And you stay in the Weasley's shop until I come and get you." If Cassius wanted to prove he was old enough to be trusted, then this was a chance for him to show it.

"I will!" Cassius promised, hugging his brother. "Thanks Dray!" he called as he and Hagrid walked away.

Draco shook his head to himself with a grin.

/

"Yeh excited about starting third year?" Hagrid asked as they walked.

"I suppose. I have already done third year," Cassius reminded him. Of course, this time he wouldn't have an escaped convict after him. And no Dementors, thank merlin. He still felt sad at the thought of Sirius, and wished he was here.

"True," Hagrid said. "Will yeh be takin' my class?" he asked hopefully.

"Yup." Cassius said. Draco had forbidden him from taking Divination. Trelawny's a menace, his brother had said. Cassius had agreed, he wouldn't miss that class. Draco had also said muggle studies would be pointless since Cass had grown up in the muggle world. Cassius had insisted he wanted to take Hagrid's class so Draco had said that was fine, then suggested Ancient Runes. Cassius had agreed, he figured anything would be better and more interesting than Divination.

"Our text book won't bite us will it?" Cassius asked jokingly.

"Nah. It might lick your hand though," Hagrid said. He stopped to greet someone and Cassius had to wait as they chatted. He fidgeted slightly and glanced around and his eyes widened. Enzo and Jason were heading into Knockturn Alley! Without thinking, he ran to join them to see what they were doing there.

/

"So where is it?" Jason asked nervously. "I don't want to be here long. If our parents find out where we are, we're both done for."

"I heard it was here," Enzo said as they approached a store.

"What are we looking for?" Cassius whispered, popping up next to them. He couldn't help but laugh when they both yelped in surprise.

"Cass, you prat!" Enzo grinned.

"Merlin, you scared me," Jason said with a chuckle.

"Why are you guys here?" Cassius asked. He had forgotten how dark and dodgy this place was. He shivered slightly.

"Enzo heard they had fireworks here," Jason said with a grin.

"So? The Weasley's sell really cool fireworks," Cassius said with a shrug.

"One's that have snakes explode from them?"

"Like the fire dragons the twins did on Halloween?" Cassius asked curiously.

"No. Real snakes erupt from it," Enzo said excitedly.

"Really?" Cassius asked, his eyes brightening. That was pretty brilliant. "Where is it sold from?"

"Borgin and Burkes," Enzo said, indicating the store they were approaching.

"You aren't going in there to buy it, are you?" Cassius asked in alarm. He certainly remembered how creepy that store was and he didn't want to go inside. But he would if his friends were.

"No. I just was hoping to see it," Enzo said. His eyes widened when he saw a shadow moving in their direction. "Someone is coming towards us," he whispered.

Cassius and Jason turned around, eyeing the shadow getting closer and larger. Cassius was fumbling for his wand when a man stepped out from the shadows, dark eyes narrowed at the boys.

"What in the blazes are you three doing here?"

"Uncle Sev?" Cassius said in relief. His relief turned to alarm as he realized he was caught in Knockturn Alley by his godfather. This was not good. Not good at all.

Snape glared down at the three boys. "I must say, I am surprised Draco let you come into Knockturn Alley." he said with a sneer to Cassius. "And your parents," he added with a look towards Enzo and Jason. "What could they have been thinking?"

"Uh, they don't know that we're here, Sir," Jason mumbled.

"Draco doesn't know either," Cassius said in a small voice. Merlin, his brother was going to kill him. And Hagrid! He had forgotten about Hagrid! He must be worried out of him mind by now. Merlin, why had he run off? Draco was going to be furious.

"Shocking," Snape said sarcastically. "Why are you here?"

"Uh, we heard of fireworks that erupt with snakes," Enzo gulped. "We just wanted to see them." He tried to explain.

"Ah, yes. Did you know that they erupt with poisonous snakes?" Snape shook his head at their foolishness. "Follow me." He led the boys back into Diagon Alley. "Where are your parents?" he asked Enzo and Jason impatiently.

"Flourish and Botts," Jason answered glumly.

"And Draco?" Snape eyed his godson sternly.

"He went to the Apothecary and stationary store," Cassius said in a small. "He said Hagrid could take me to the Weasleys shop."

"And where is Hagrid?" Snape asked, although now he could see the half giant hurrying towards them, panic on his face.

"Cassius!" Hagrid said in relief. "I've been lookin everywhere fer yeh!" He pulled Cass into a hug. "Are yeh okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Hagrid," Cassius said. "I saw my friends and I went to say hi."

"In Knockturn Alley," Snape added, clearly still angry.

Hagrid looked at Cassius with shocked eyes. "Yeh went there? What were yeh thinkin'?" he scolded.

"I'm sorry," Cassius said again. It wasn't often that one got scolded by Hagrid.

Hagrid sighed. "I'm just glad yer all right."

"Hagrid, could you escort these two gentlemen to Flourish and Botts and tell their parents where they have been?" Snape took hold of Cassius's arm. "This one needs to speak to his brother."

"I will, Professor," Hagrid said, gesturing for Enzo and Jason to follow him.

Cassius could hear Hagrid scolding them about Knockturn Alley and how dangerous it was as they walked away. He'd feel bad for them but he had to face Draco and it wasn't going to be pretty.

"Uncle Sev -"

"There is no way I am not telling him," Snape said as they walked. "You know better, Cass. If school were in session, I would assign you detention. I may do so anyway. Ah, here is your brother."

Draco approached them, looking happy. "Hey, Uncle Sev! Cass, did you already get enough of the joke shop?" he teased. He had figured that he would end up having to drag his brother out of the twins shop.

"I haven't been there yet," Cassius said quietly.

"Oh," Draco eyed them. His godfather looked upset and Cassius looked guilty and nervous. Uh oh. He sighed. "What happened?"

"Cassius?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "Tell him."

In a small voice, Cassius confessed about running off from Hagrid and going into Knockturn Alley because he had seen his friends going in there. He spoke of them wanting to see the fireworks that sprouted snakes. As he spoke, Draco's face went from concerned to furious and his grey eyes had darkened.

"Are you telling me," Draco said in a slow, dangerous voice. "That you ignored my instruction to stay with Hagrid and went into Knockturn Alley, a place you know you are not allowed? A place where a death eater could have been? A place where someone who wanted to hurt you could have been?" Draco was furious. There were people out there that although they had never become death eaters, they believed in the propaganda Voldemort spewed and would be more than happy to hurt the one who had killed him. He had trusted Cassius to stay with Hagrid and instead he had put his safety at risk. Again!

"I -"

"Blast it, Cassius! What were you thinking? You deliberately disobeyed me!" Draco yelled, unable to control his anger.

Cassius winced and glanced around. "Please don't yell at me here," he pleaded. That was all he needed was for classmates to see him getting yelled at.

Draco's eyes widened. "Do you think for one minute I care if you are embarrassed?" He snapped.

"Draco," Snape spoke up. "Perhaps you should take him home. Before someone alerts Skeeter that you two are here." He said quietly.

Draco grimaced and nodded. Skeeter getting wind of them would not be good. He pulled Cassius towards him. "You are in trouble," he growled in his ear. He looked at Snape. "Could you do me a favor? Since Cass and I are not staying -"

"We're really leaving?" Cassius asked dejectedly. He winced at the infuriated look Draco gave him. Yeah, mentioning the joke shop and the Quidditch shop wouldn't be smart. Draco started to pull him away.

"Could you stop at the ice cream parlour and tell Hermione we'll have to see her another time?" Draco asked, ignoring his bother's interruption. If Cass thought they would stay and hang out after what he had done... his brother apparently needed a firm reminder of the rules and what happened when he broke them.

"Miss Granger, hmm? All right," Snape said, a slight smile on his face.

"I ran into her and thought Cass would want to see her," Draco said defensively. Okay, so he had been very happy to run into her. It's not like it meant anything.

"Of course," Snape drawled.

Draco gave him a withering look as he walked his brother through the streets and to the Leaky Cauldron to use the floo to head back home.

TBC: Next up - Cass is in trouble with Draco, summer comes to an end and Cassius takes the train to Hogwarts to begin his third year...