Two in one day
This is a bonus chapter
There will be at least 2 more chapters to go.
Enjoy!
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CHAPTER 11
Harry Potter grumbled to himself as he fell onto his backside, sliding out of the Floo. Opening his eyes, he saw a smirking Sirius gazing down at him. Harry narrowed his eyes at his…. dad and took the outstretched hand.
"You're horrible at Floo," Sirius commented, pulling his wand. With a sweep, the former prisoner cleaned their robes free of soot.
"I'm horrible at all magical transportation. Except for flying," Harry bitched quietly.
His session hadn't gone well, but Healer Schultz told him before they left, Harry was doing well. Harry snorted to himself. He didn't think he was doing well. There were many times he wanted to run out of Healer Schultz's office several times, but he steeled his Gryffindor courage and stayed.
He wasn't sure if he was making progress or not, but his Healer was confident that she could help him. Hary stole a glance at Sirius and wondered how his session had gone. Harry figured that Azkaban and the Durselys were similar in prisons.
"I agree." Sirius nodded his head, beaming at his son. "You're flying is something to see."
"You've seen me fly?" Harry asked as Sirius led him from the downstairs parlor.
"Only in a Pensive memory. You're better than your dad was at that age."
Harry blushed, ducking his head. His heart warmed at the compliment, but he wasn't sure how to reciprocate the emotion. His life with the Dursleys prevented him from learning how to accept compliments and such. As Sirius led Harry into the downstairs hallway where the bottom of the stairs was, Harry was sure there would be a reckoning one day for the Dursleys.
"Where you headed too?" Sirius asked, eyeing his son.
Harry sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Probably the library. I need to finish the last of my homework. I want to do some reading."
"Oh?" Sirius piped up. "Like what?"
"I thought about Runes," Harry answered. "I know I won't be able to get into the class, but I think it sounds interesting."
Sirius rubbed his goatee, thinking for a second. "Yes, it's a handy skill to learn. Runes. Your dad's talent was Transfiguration. Mine was in Runes and Warding. Remus was and is quite good in Defense and Charms. If you like, I can tutor you the basics?"
Harry's eyes widened dramatically. "You'd do that?"
Sirius's eyes softened at his son's words. "Of course I would. I'll get Remus to help. Together, we're not a bad team. We can even help with Potions."
Harry groaned loudly. "I don't think anything in this world will help me with Potions. You know, I came to Hogwarts actually excited about Potions. Then I met Snape…."
Sirius nodded in understanding. "And he ruined it for you." Harry nodded slowly. "I can't help Snape's attitude, but I can help you understand the art."
Harry grinned widely at his…. Dad. "Yea, that works."
"Get your homework done. We'll have Moony look it over for you."
Harry nodded his head and rushed up the four flights of stairs to his bedroom. Pushing the door open, he paused and wondered how he got so lucky. He had his own bedroom and loo. There were people here that cared about him. No one yelled at him or made him do any chores…. Not that Dobby would ever let his Great Harry Potter do menial housework.
Harry found his Potions book and parchment and shoved them in the satchel that needed replacing. Maybe he would buy a new one when they went school shopping. As he descended the stairs, he frowned, hearing yelling. Fixing his loose strap on his shoulder, Harry geared himself to walk into a massive row.
As he came nearer the opened double doors of the Black Library, he could clearly hear who was arguing. Peering around the door, he saw Hermione and Cassie sitting at one table while Ron stood on the other side, fuming.
"Why won't you help me?" Ron snapped, shoving a book closer to Hermione.
Harry watched as Hermione exchanged looks with his sister. Neither girl looked happy, and Harry figured this wasn't the first row today. He waited by the door, hoping no one saw him. Harry really didn't want to deal with Ron's anger issues today, nor the questions that were sure to come.
"Have you even started your summer homework?" Hermione snapped, closing the book and pushing it gently across the table to Ron.
Ron stared at her incredulously. "Unlike some people, I have been busy enjoying my summer."
"Too busy that you wait until it's almost time to go back to school to do your homework? Even Ginny finished her homework two weeks ago!"
"So?!" Ro fumed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "I've got you to do it for me!"
"Ronald Weasley, I will never do your homework for you! I will help proof it and that's it! Go do it yourself."
Ron snarled at Hermione, making the hairs on the back of Harry's neck stand up. He had watched the argument for a few minutes before realizing that Ron wouldn't back down from this argument unless someone else stepped in. How in Merlin's name did the adults not hear this argument? Maybe they assumed it was normal for Ron and Hermione to row about homework.
"Fuck," Harry muttered, seeing Ron's wand pointed at Hermione. Entering the library quickly, he noted that Hermione and Cassie held their wands up at Ron.
"Harry!" Hermione beamed, seeing him walk into the room.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, coming around to Hermione and setting his satchel on the table. His emerald eyes never leaving Ron, who still had his wand pointed at the girls.
"Hermione won't help me do my homework," Ron complained loudly.
"Well," Harry said, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. "It is your homework. Not Hermione's. Shouldn't you do it yourself?" He slipped his hand into in pocket, clenching his wand tightly. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it against his former friend.
"Why should I have to?" Ron countered, lowering his wand, much to Harry's mixed feelings. "She's always done it for me."
"No, Ron," Harry spoke up before Hermione could. "She helps proofread it for you. That's it. She doesn't even have to help you. Do you know why she does that?" Harry asked, not waiting for an answer from Ron. "She does it because she is a good person."
"Why, in Merlin's name, would you want Hermione to do your homework for you?" Cassie asked, lowering her quill. "You really haven't spoken to her since last year."
"She's good at homework!" Ron muttered sullenly.
Before Harry could reply about what else Hermione was good at besides homework, they heard Mrs. Weasley storm into the library.
"Ronald Weasely! I heard what you said. You lied to me! You told me you had your homework done a week ago!" Mrs. Weasely screeched, planting her fisted hands on her hips. Ron opened his mouth to whine when she cut him off. "You will go to your room and do your homework by yourself. I will personally check it myself!"
Ron conceded, but grumbled as he walked out of the library. Harry didn't miss the scathing look Ron tossed at him, Hermione, and Cassie. With an audible sigh, Harry leaned over and fished his homework out of his satchel. Without another word, but without a quick glance at Hermione, who smiled at him, he began his work.
**
Harry stumbled down the stairs the next morning. Yawning, he rubbed his tired eyes under his glasses. He had a nightmare the night before that kept him up for at least an hour afterwards. He would have sent a missive to Dumbledore, but he knew Sirius wouldn't like it. Harry hadn't asked why Sirius was angry with Dumbledore, but he knew why he was.
As he stumbled down to the first floor, he paused mid-step, hearing Cassie and Sirius talking in the downstairs parlor near the Floo. He didn't want to eavesdrop, knowing it was a private time between father and daughter, but curiosity got the best of him. Scratching his stomach, Harry leaned against the wall beside the parlor.
"... it's going to be brought up." Sirius's voice floated through the opened doors.
"I can't do it. I cannot stand to listen to Ginny talk about Harry like that."
Harry paused, listening to his sister talk about Ginny. While Ginny hadn't bothered him too much, except for her accosting him on his birthday. Hell, she barely spoke one hundred words to him since he first met her! He frowned, wondering what Ginny had said about him when he wasn't around. "Cassie…." Sirius pleaded, though his words didn't sound convincing. Apparently, his dad had issues with whatever was being talked about.
When Cassie didn't speak, Harry assumed she gave her father a look. Harry heard Sirius sigh, grumbling to himself. "Fine, let's get this over with."
"Dad….," Cassie started, the regret in her voice. "I…"
"I get it, kiddo. This is your house as much as it is Harry's. I won't let either of you be forced to bunk with anyone you don't want to."
Harry realized the conversation was over and rushed from his hiding spot. He was sure that Sirius knew he was standing there listening, but wouldn't say anything to Harry. Entering the downstairs kitchen a minute later, Harry sat down roughly in his usual chair, ignoring the glares from Ron.
A breakfast plate appeared before him, steaming with delicious food. Harry felt his stomach growl and reached for his fork. The kitchen door opened, revealing Sirius and Cassie, who took their respective seats. No one spoke for a few minutes as Mrs. Weasely finished setting plates out for her family.
Harry chewed on his scrambled eggs and thought how best to approach Sirius with the idea for him and Cassie to spend time at Longbottom Hall for a few days. While staying at Grimmauld Place was his home, it would be nice to see how other Wizarding families lived. Hermione even offered her house for them, stating that it would be an excellent way for Cassie and Neville to experience a Muggle home.
"Well, now that Hermione isn't staying here right now. I think it would be best if Ginny bunks with Cassie." Mrs. Weasley spoke up, reaching for her cup of tea and placing the rim on her lips before taking a sip.
Cassie sputtered lightly, looking between her father and Mrs. Weasely. "But…"
"But nothing," Mrs. Weasely spoke up. "We have Order members coming and going. We're going to need the space."
"Molly," Sirius interrupted, wiping his mouth delicately with a napkin before setting it down beside the half-eaten breakfast. "Cassie and I have discussed this. She will have her own room. Much like Harry."
"Dumbledore said….," Molly began, her eyes widening as her face pinked.
"Molly, do remember this is my house. Not Dumbledore's. I appreciate everyone's ideas and opinions, but this is the House of Black. I will make the living arrangements and rules."
Harry sat silently across from his sister, who paused her eating to watch the semi-cordial argument. He saw a look of triumph in his sister's eyes as Sirius reminded Mrs. Weasely who was boss. Setting his fork down, he reached for the glass of OJ and drained it while Mrs. Weasely contemplated telling Dumbledore or not.
Harry watched in amazement as Mrs. Weasely backed down for the moment. He could tell this would not go over well when she complained to Dumbledore about this. Harry couldn't care less. This was Sirius's house, just as much as it was his and Cassie's.
"Sirius," Harry spoke up against the thick silence that befell the kitchen. "Is it possible for Cassie and I to stay at Longbottom Hall for a week? Neville has invited us."
Sirius paused for a moment, his silver eyes never leaving Harry's emerald green ones. Harry squirmed in his seat, wondering what his pseudo-father was thinking. Tapping his fingers against his trousers, Harry was half a step away from making concessions and promises to whatever would be needed to go.
"Why would you want to go to that Squib's house?" Ron spat, tossing his fork down on the table in anger.
Harry turned to his former friend and glared. "Because Neville is one of my best mates. I want to see where he lives." He turned back to Sirius. "It's only for a week…,"
Ron scoffed before Sirius could open his mouth to give his blessing. "Right…. I don't know why you wanna spend time with him. All he does is dig around in the dirt. He doesn't play Chess or Quidditch. He's boring!"
Cassie's mouth dropped open at Ron. Her face pinked as anger colored her face. "That's my boyfriend you're talking about, you prat!" Her chair squawked as she pushed it back to stand up. She glared at Ron, who sneered back, hoping someone would stop Cassie. "Just because he doesn't like the same things you do doesn't make him boring!"
Harry glared at his former best mate before turning back to his sister. "Cas…,"
"Enough!" Sirius snapped, setting his teacup on the table gently. "Harry, Cassie, of course you may visit Longbottom Hall. I'm sure Augusta would love to have you. Will Hermione be joining you as well?"
Cassie glared once more at Ron before turning to her father. "She said she would ask her parents if she could go. She wants to spend most of the summer with them." Cassie looked down at her plate before returning to Sirius. "She's invited us to her house as well."
"Am I invited?" Ron piped up, looking between his mother and Sirius.
Before Sirius could answer, Molly spun her eyes to her youngest son. He quailed at her as she glared at her son. "Of course not! You will not be going to the Muggle world."
"But, Mum!" Ron protested loudly. "They get to go."
"Be that as it may, Ronald Weasely. You are not going. There are things to be done here, like your homework."
Mrs. Weasely apparently had enough. She rose quickly, muttering to herself before turning to glare at everyone at the table. "I'm sure that's not a good idea for the kids to go. Hermione's parents are Muggles. What can they do to keep everyone protected?" Molly asked, but her eyes turned to Harry.
"To be honest, Molly," Sirius spoke up, pushing his chair back from the table and stood up. "I'm perfectly fine with the kid's idea to see each other this summer. A trip to the Muggle world is a wonderful idea."
"But it's not safe!" Molly gasped, her eyes averting to her family, hoping that someone would help her out. None of her children opened their mouths to help their mother. Instead, they watched the byplay with great interest and fear. Few people stood up to their mother and lived.
"How is it not safe?" Sirius inquired, raising a black eyebrow at her. "At most, Death Eaters don't know how to navigate the Muggle world. Plus, this way, it will be a teachable moment. It's important to move between both worlds without being spotted."
With that notion, Sirius exited the kitchen, followed by Harry and Cassie. Nothing was said until they reached the first floor. Sirius stopped and turned to his kids. "When do you leave?"
Harry scratched the back of his head. "Dunno. I'll owl Neville and ask him."
Sirius nodded at Harry and turned to his daughter. "I realize that you and Neville are a couple." he began trying to keep the grin off his face at seeing his daughter blush. "But please be responsible. Neither of you are ready for children of your own."
With that, Sirius Black turned from his children, whistling to himself and wishing he had eyes in the back of his head to see the red embarrassment his daughter sported.
"He really knows how to embarrass a girl, doesn't he?" Cassie muttered, following Harry up the narrow stairs to the library.
"He is Sirius Black for a reason," Harry quipped, earning a glare from his sister. Harry grinned at her and pushed the double doors open to the library.
"Do you have any homework left?" Cassie asked, plopping down on the green sofa.
"Not anymore. It's been done." Harry took a seat beside his sister.
It was one of the few times they had been alone since the news of their relationship. Harry was grateful he never fancied Cassie during their friendship. He shuddered, thinking how strange it would be to fancy a girl, only to find out she was his sister.
"You here to read?" Cassie broke the silence before reaching for the book sitting on the table in front of them. She peered at the title before shrugging and opening it.
"More like hiding from Ron." Harry muttered, closing his eyes and resting his head on the back of the sofa.
Harry cracked an eye open, hearing Cassie make a grunting noise. "He's unpleasant. He really is. I can't see how his family lets him get away talking like that."
"He's Ron."
"And?"
"I don't know." Harry shrugged.
They sat in the library, silence between them as Cassie read and Harry dozed. While he knew he was getting better, the days still took a lot out of him. Harry realized his mind was clearer and his nightmares less since his first session with the Mind Healer. While he wasn't happy to have someone learn about his life before Sirius and Hogwarts, he did appreciate what it was doing for him.
Harry briefly wondered what he would do once they returned to Hogwarts in the next few weeks. Would he still attend his Mind Healer sessions? A few minutes later, a knock interrupted their quiet musings. Harry cracked an eye open to see Sirius standing there in robes.
"Moony has offered to take the two of you to Fortescue's for ice cream. Get you out of the house."
"But we've just had breakfast!" Cassie exclaimed, closing the book and setting it on the table.
Sirius shrugged. "So? Why not shop a little, too?" When neither of the teens moved, Sirius sighed. "Please?"
Harry looked at Cassie, who shrugged. "I suppose so."
With a too large of a grin, Sirius clapped his hands together. "Good. Get your robes on. You leave in a few minutes."
A few hours later, Remus stepped through the Floo, followed by Harry and Cassie. While they had been in Diagon Alley, they ran into Neville. Inviting him to their small shopping group, the teens led Remus around while spending time with one another. Harry cornered Neville, asking him questions about taking up the Lord Potter title. While Neville couldn't give him the exact details, Harry learned he couldn't take the title until after he graduated from Hogwarts or became of age.
It gave him a couple of years to learn the ropes. Neville mentioned talking to the Potter Account Manager if he had questions. Harry pondered over the information Neville gave him, but chuckled seeing how Neville and Cassie escaped their minder for a short while before returning a little flushed.
As they returned from their shopping trip, Harry followed Remus out of the parlor to come face to face with many people. None of whom Harry knew. Feeling his nerves shake a little, he sighed, feeling a small hand slip into his, squeezing it reassuringly. Cassie stood close to him in case he faltered. Harry swallowed hard, realizing he would have to do this.
All motion stopped when he entered the bustling foyer. Harry grimaced, seeing the eyes turn to stare at him. "Harry! You're back early!" Sirius called out, breaking the silence.
Harry turned to his god—dad and gave a wan smile. He hated being in the eye of people. Especially people he didn't know.
"What's going on?" Harry asked as Sirius shuffled the kids up the stairs to the library. "Who are all those people?"
"That," Sirius said, looking down the narrow stairs, hoping no one followed them. "Was the Order of the Pheonix."
"What are they doing in your house?" Cassie spoke up, releasing Harry's hand.
"Using it as a headquarters…. of sorts. It's far better here than the Hog's Head."
"Are you a part of it?" Harry inquired, looking between Cassie and Sirius.
Sirius scratched the back of his neck and shuffled his feet. Technically no. Not too many people know I am a free man yet. So Dumbledore didn't see a reason to invite me. Hell, he didn't invite Moony, either. Though, I'm sure Moony would tell him to stick his invitation up his enormous nose."
Before Harry could open his mouth to inquire more, a stomping up the narrow stairs caught his attention. Mrs. Weasely waved her hands and cheerfully smiled at the kids while giving Sirius a small glare.
"Oh, good!" she exclaimed, coming to the top step. "You're back. Have the two of you finished your homework?"
Harry looked at Cassie, who shrugged before turning back to Mrs. Weasely. "Yes, ma'am. We finished a week ago."
"Good. Now you two pick a room on the third floor to clean." she instructed.
"What?"
"Why?"
"Molly, I don't think that's necessary," Sirius spoke up for the kids. "This is their house, too."
Molly looked over at them, contemplating what she could get away with. "Well, they need something to do while the Order is here."
"There's a fully stocked library and they have their rooms." Sirius said. "I trust them to do what needs to be done and leave the Order alone while they are here." he said, glancing at each teen.
Both teens nodded their heads, much to Sirius's relief and Molly's displeasure.
"We'll let Hermione and Neville know when they arrive here." Harry promised.
"They are coming back?" Molly asked, glancing warily at Sirius.
"Well, yeah," Harry replied, slightly confused. "They're our friends."
"And they have complete permission to come whenever they want," Sirius reassured his children.
"Well then," Molly huffed, pursing her lips. "Then they need to stay busy, too."
"And I am sure they will stay out of trouble," Sirius assured her before giving the teens a quiet nod of his head and disappearing down the narrow stairs.
Mrs. Weasely frowned at the teens but said nothing as she turned away from them and followed Sirius down the stairs. Harry was sure she would try to give Sirius a tongue lashing. Harry looked at his sister and wished they were back at Hogwarts.
Cassie Black formally Cassie York watched as her father sauntered down the stairs followed by an unpleasant Molly Weasley. She glanced at her brother and wondered why they couldn't be back at Hogwarts. Things were much simpler when they were at school. All they had to worry about was their schoolwork and Malfoy's big mouth.
"I'm going to my room," she whispered, giving Harry a smile before stomping up the stairs.
It irritated her how much she didn't like Mrs. Weasley. The redheaded woman came into her new house and started demanding that everyone do as she asked. Cassie grumbled, opening the door to her bedroom. Mrs. Weasely barking at her own family to do chores and keep busy was fine, but not to her or Harry.
She knew the second Mrs. Weasely tried to make Neville do a chore in a house that wasn't his own, her Neville would be on the Floo to speak to his Gran. It wasn't as if it was right for him to run and snitch to his Gran, but he was the last of his House and wouldn't dare tread on the House of Black.
Cassie sat down on her bed, worrying a thin strand of thread between her fingers. Her life had come to an upheaval since the end of the school year. Voldemort's return, her relationship with Neville, learning that Sirius Black is her father and Harry Potter her half brother, it surprised Cassie she hadn't broken down.
She had always wondered about who her parents were. Her guardian, Aunt Aggie, never told her. When Remus Lupin brought her to Grimmauld Place, she never thought she would learn that Sirius Black was her father, let alone the consort of James and Lily Potter. Lily Potter was her mother, and she found herself proud of that. Though Harry didn't have both his parents alive, unlike her, she knew her father loved Harry like his own.
Now the Order was here… whatever that was. She sighed loudly and flopped back onto her bed to stare at the ceiling. She understood that Mrs. Weasely wanted all the kids occupied while the adults did whatever adults did, but cleaning Grimmauld Place when they had two house-elves doing it would not work.
The only person who needed to finish homework was Ron and Cassie would not offer her services as a tutor. She didn't know how Hermione tried helping their former friend all these years. Cassie would have lost it with Ron the first time he demanded help. Hermione was far more patient than Cassie.
Alone in her room, Cassie sighed loudly and placed her hands on her stomach. She wished Neville was there to keep her occupied. There wasn't much to do at Grimmauld Place with Dumbledore, making sure that no one bar the adults left the house. Not that she wasn't cautious living with Aunt Aggie, but she had more freedom.
Maybe this was how Harry felt locked up at Privet Drive all summer. Coming to a sitting position, she climbed off the bed in search of parchment. Finding a spare sheaf, she grabbed her self-inking quill and scribbled a note to Neville. Cassie hoped he could come over. Halfway through her letter, she paused, thinking how needy she sounded, but forced herself to finish the letter.
It excited her she had permission to visit Longbottom Hall before the summer holiday was over. The only other magical home she lived in was with Aunt Aggie. Though, properly meeting Neville's Gran had her insides twisted. Hermione and Harry would travel with her to Neville's before going to Hermione's for a week.
"Dobby," Cassie called quietly. A second later, she heard a small pop to her left. Looking down, she saw the diminutive house-elf tugging on his left ear.
"What cans Dobby do for Miss Cassie?"
"Dobby, can you take this letter to Neville? Please wait for a reply from him. I–I'd like to see him for a little while today."
"Dobby can do that!" Dobby held out his hand for the rolled parchment and disappeared with a quiet pop.
A knock on her bedroom door pulled her from her waiting. Looking at the door, she wondered who it was. "Come in!"
Sirius stuck his head in to see Cassie sitting on the bed, parchment and quill around her. Stepping into the room, he closed the door softly. "Are you all right?"
Cassie sighed softly, running her fingers through her black hair. "Yea, I am. I wrote to Neville, asking if he could come over?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at his daughter. It amazed him he was a father to this young lady before him. It pained him he had missed so much of her life before. The young woman before him wasn't a little girl anymore, but a teen girl wanting her boyfriend around to comfort her.
He knew Cassie would eagerly accept comfort from him, no questions asked, but today she was asking for something different. Sighing, Sirius ran his fingers through his shoulder length black hair and nodded. "Yea, he can come over. When are you and Harry going to Longbottom Hall?"
Cassie beamed at her father and moved around on the bed to sit cross-legged. She patted the empty spot beside her and waited as her father sat down. "I don't know. I can ask him when he gets here…. if his Gran lets him."
Sirius smiled warmly. "I am sure Augusta doesn't have a problem with Neville coming over. It's not like the two of you can get into too much trouble."
"Not likely with Mrs. Weasley barking orders at everyone," Cassie muttered, looking down at her chipped fingernails.
"I've reminded her that you and Harry are my responsibility. If I feel that you cannot keep yourself occupied, then I can assign chores, not her."
"Thanks, Dad," Cassie whispered, throwing her arms around him for a hug. Sirius sighed, tightening his grip around his daughter before letting go. It was moments like this that made him smile.
While spending time with her dad speaking about everything and nothing, Cassie received Neville's reply that he could visit her later that afternoon. Silently she squealed, looking happily at her dad, who grinned back. Bidding his goodbyes, she watched her dad leave her bedroom quickly, stating he needed to do something. She knew Neville would want to spend time with Harry as well, but Cassie had other plans.
Rolling her feet back and forth, she counted the ticks of the clock as she stared at the fireplace. With a sudden burst of green fire, Neville shot out of the fireplace gracefully. Without letting him get his bearings, Cassie threw herself at him, pulling him into a heated kiss.
"Come with me," she whispered against his unresisting lips. "There's an upstairs parlor that hasn't been used in ages."
Nodding dumbly at his girlfriend, Neville took Cassie's outreached hand and followed her up the narrow staircase to the abandoned parlor. Eagerly, he pushed the door open to walk his girlfriend backward before kicking the door closed with his left foot.
Quiet moans drifted around the empty parlor. No one had used the room in decades, leaving it to be the best hiding spot for a private snog. Cassie scaled her nails lightly down Neville's bare chest while his lips trailed down her neck. What started out as a simple snog turned heated once the door closed and Cassie found herself pinned under Neville's bigger frame.
She moaned quietly as his hands pushed under her arse, giving the cheek a squeeze. Finding his lips, Cassie devoured her boyfriend's swollen lips as her fingers fisted in his sandy hair.
"Cass….," Neville grunted in her ear, causing her to shiver deliciously in his arms.
She opened her eyes slightly, seeing his eyes closed, his lips parted as he panted heavily against her chapped lips. Before she could ask what was wrong, he rolled his hips into hers, causing her eyes to slip close as a moan escaped her.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?!" a female voice screeched from the door to the parlor.
Cassie froze as Neville moved quickly off her in an attempt to see who screamed at them. Losing his balance, Neville tumbled off the sofa and onto the floor. Cassie scrambled to grab him before looking up to see who screamed.
Mrs. Weasely stood there, her face red as she huffed an angry puff of air. The Weasley Matriarch stared at the two teens, expecting an answer from them. Flabbergasted that someone had caught them, Cassie opened her mouth to explain.
"YOU!" Mrs. Weasely screeched angrily, pointing her finger at Cassie. "Acting like a scarlet woman in this house! This is what happens when you spend time with Muggles, but proper Pureblood ladies don't act like hussies." Molly paused, catching her breath before turning her attention to Neville. "And you! I think I will be speaking to your grandmother about this irresponsible behavior."
"I am not a scarlet woman!" Cassie shouted, fixing the buttons on her shirt.
"Excuse me?" Neville said, his eyes narrowed. "My girlfriend isn't a scarlet woman. I demanded you apologize to her."
Molly glared at him, ignoring the demand. She huffed heavily at the two teens, trying to think of a suitable punishment for them. She would owl Augusta and Cassie's guardian, letting the frail woman know what her charge was up too.
"You both heard me!" Molly snapped, glaring at the two teens. "Separate now and get dressed! Neville, I think it's time you go home."
"I–," he started, but she glared at him. Neville rose to his feet, his eyes looking for his abandoned shirt. Grabbing it, he slipped it on, glaring at Mrs. Weasely the whole time. "I was invited to Grimmauld Place," he began.
"Excuse me, young man?" Molly snapped, crossing her arms tightly in front of her. It threw her that a child would talk back to her. "It's time you leave." She said, motioning for him to leave the parlor.
"What's going on here?" Sirius spoke up, coming up the stairs two at a time.
Molly turned to look at him before going back to the teens. I caught these two half naked in a compromising scene!"
"Oh?" Sirius looked at an irate Molly before turning to the two teens. He was relieved to see Cassie's clothing fixed. "What happened?" he asked his daughter.
"Neville and I were… snogging," she blushed, seeing her father raise an eyebrow at her. "Mrs. Weasely came into the room and started yelling at us. She tried to send Neville home."
"I reminded her that a proper Pureblood lady doesn't act like a scarlet woman," Molly spoke up, giving Cassie a small glare.
"I'm not a Pureblood," Cassie spat, coming to her feet. Neville grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him.
"Molly, might I remind you again this is my house. While I don't approve of... Compromising situations, I don't see what gives you the right to discipline Neville and Cassie."
Molly's mouth dropped open in shock. It wasn't often people stood up to the irate redheaded woman. "You didn't see what I did. I am still owl'ing August and Cassie's guardian."
Sirius tapped his trimmed goatee with his finger, thinking absently. "I'll speak with Augusta."
Molly harrumphed. "What about Cassie's guardian?"
"I'm her guardian," Sirius explained evenly. "I will take care of her myself."
Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened a fraction before her face reddened. "Does Albus know this?"
Sirius snorted, clasping his hands behind his back. "Frankly, Molly, I don't give a damn what Albus knows and if you don't like how things are run in this house, your family can pack your things and leave."
"I'll be speaking with Albus." Molly glared once more at Sirius before storming off.
Sirius turned to his daughter and her boyfriend and sighed. "If I punish you, I am going to sound hypocritical. My folks, even James's parents, didn't punish me for snogging my girlfriend, so I won't punish you," he said, looking at Cassie. "Just be safe, that's all I ask."
With that, he turned around and left the two teens in the parlor. He had to speak with Augusta.