[Disclaimer: By now, I think y'all know the drill]

Notes:

- According to our timeline (roughly), this story takes place during Tom Riddle's school years. There will be references to him at times (and an appearance every now and again, most likely). Rather than writing about the past generation, I've gone back another generation, the grandparents of the present generation. (I got the idea from a role play with fellow role player and writer Neshomeh, a friend of mine.)

- The main character is Cassandra Winterburn, Morganna Snape's mother. Mrs Snape's mother was English. Who knew? Anyway, her name was recorded elsewhere as Delilah, but I changed it and am too lazy to go back and fix it.

- The sister/aunt in Once Upon A Time that Morganna went to live with (Margolotta Winterburn) was actually Cassandra's sister, whereas at the time I had decided she was Maxwell's.

Past History

Summary: We've seen Harry Potter's generation. We've seen James Potter's generation. But surely you didn't think that was the only generation? Welcome to the school days of Cassandra Winterburn - and Tom Riddle.

Chapter One: Bring On The Bubbly

by Adele Elisabeth

Cassie stood in front of her mirror, examining her reflection. Her hair was so silvery-blonde, it was almost white. She had grey eyes, and was willowy-slim. Standing about 5'4", she liked more or less what she saw.

Mostly.

A quick charm changed her hair from near-white to black. As an afterthought, she left streaks of her original colour.

Satisfied, she made her way down to breakfast.

"Cassie, can't you just leave your hair as it should be?" Margolotta flashed her younger sister an irritated glance.

"Lottie, can't you just go jump off a cliff? Do the world a favor." Cassie snapped back, flopping into a chair.

"Sit like a lady."

"Get a life and stop acting like you have a wand shoved up your--"

"Cassandra Winterburn!"

Cassie groaned inwardly, and turned. "Yes, Daddy?"

"Did I really hear you say what I think you said?"

"Maybe. What did you think I said?"

Lottie rolled her eyes. "Grow up."

"Margolotta, that is quite enough." Adam Winterburn told his daughter, eyes not leaving his youngest child -- who was currently on her way out the door.

Cassie strolled down Diagon Alley with Odessa Cameron, her best friend. The pair were discussing the coming year, and hemlines.

"Daddy thinks they're way too short." Cassie was telling Odessa. "But since when do I listen to him? Talk about control freak."

Both girls wore knee-length robes, which had a tight, laced bodice, a skirt that flared out from the waist and long, flowing sleeves. Cassie's were dark green, and Odessa's dark blue. They both wore their hair up in a plaited bun, and knee-high white socks with black mary-janes.

"Your dad needs to take a breath and get over himself, Cass. You're not five anymore." Odessa told her, seriously.

"I know. I guilt-tripped him with the whole Daniel fiasco, and he backed off."

"Really sad about your brother."

"I know."

They continued in silence before Floo-ing back to Odessa's house, which was where Cassie was staying for the next week until school began.

Odessa was hosting a slumber party the Saturday night before Hogwarts began again (which was the following Monday). It was a very small guest lists, the guests being Cassandra Winterburn, Jami Ricketts, and Lana Rourke.

"I still don't get why you're in Gryffindor and Lottie's in Slytherin." Lana commented, reaching for the popcorn bowl.

"Simple, Lana. Lottie's a bitch." Cassie replied, looking up from plaiting her hair.

"And you're not...?" Lana grinned at her.

"Well, I didn't say that." Cassie's eyes widened innocently.

"What do you guys think of that Blake girl?" Odessa changed the subject. "The transfer."

"She's a Slytherin, what's to think?" Cassie and Lana chorused.

"So's Riddle, and I seem to remember somebody having a crush..."

Cassie became fascinated by her fingernails.

"You liked Tom Riddle?" Lana stared, shocked and incredulous, at her friend.

Jami walked back into the room, and looked confusedly at them. "Turn my back for five minutes...all right, what'd I miss?"

"Cassie had a crush on Tom Riddle." Odessa informed her.

"'Had', as in past tense." Cassie interjected.

"Why don't we play truth or dare, or work our way through the champagne Cassie went to all the trouble of getting here?" Jami suggested, attempting to defuse the situation. Cassie didn't, after all, look terribly pleased with the direction the conversation was taking.

"I'm all for that." Lana nodded.

"Fine with me." Odessa agreed.

"Bring on the bubbly." Cassie grinned.

***

Just a quick introduction to the wonderful world of Cassie Winterburn. This story is set before all the other stories in this wonderful (!) series.

I'd just love it if you reviewed...