Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that J.K. Rowling generated. I did change the time

of their animagus transformations

because of certain reasons. I do own Cassandra, the Devoirs, and of course, the plot!!!

Another Marauder In Our Midst

chapter 3

Year four, chapter 3

"Come BACK here Padfoot you insufferable git!" yelled Cassandra Devoir, now a pretty 14

year old girl, who was very angry at a 15 year old Sirius. She was soaked to the bone, thanks to another one of his pranks. "Damn, that's a nice view." commented a fifth year, looking her over. Her eyes narrowed, she did NOT need this right now. "Pervert. Wash your mouth out. scourgify." The boy started to emit bubbles from his mouth. Looking down at herself, she realized that her once loose, white tanktop now clung to her and showed her bra. Sirius, was going to PAY. She ran up the boys' stairs, ignoring the comments that she was getting and slammed open the fifth years' door. There was a whistling from behind her and she whipped around. "Whew Grim! Being a bit revealing this morning?" "Shut up Prongs, know you told him a spell on how to freeze those steps!" said Cassandra, pushing her long bangs behind her ears. "NOW. Come on out little Sirius. I won't hurt you - much." she added under her breathe. There was a rustling from a curtain and she punched it as hard as she could. "OW!" cried Sirius, jumping from behind the curtain and holding his arm. "The two of you EVER even THINK of doing this again, I'll knock you into a coma for so long, that you might wake up for your N.E.W.T.S." she said darkly. The she went over to Sirius's bed, grabbed a freshly laundered wife-beater from the stack, and pulled off her tanktop. She pulled it on and rolled up the bottom, then strolled out. Peter sat wide-eyed on his own bed, which was right next to Sirius's. "Man, do we pick our friends right or what?"asked James, "How many girls would take off their shirt in front of us willingly?" "Well, physically yeah, but techniquely, no. I doubt that she wanted to get cornered by some perverted 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th year. Would you two have wanted that?" asked Remus. The two boys stopped snickering instantly. "Anybody even thought about it." snarled Sirius. He raised his fist and slammed it into his other hand. "Peter, are you alright? You look like you've never even seen a girl's stomach." said James. "No, she had something kind of in her stomach. A metal stick or something." answered Peter. "WHAT" yelled Sirius and ran out of the room, James at his heels. They performed the stunning charm on the staircase, then ran up and into the 5th year girls' dormitory (Cassandra still shares a year ahead of her). "Grim, Peter said that you had a metal stick in your stomach. Let's see." Cassandra smirked. "Metal stick huh? That's called a belly button ring. See?" She lifted up the wife beater just over her belly button, revealing a small metal stick with a snitch on the bottom. "That's brilliant! Did it hurt?" asked James. "Where did you get that thing?" asked Sirius. "It hurt a little bit when the dude was pushing the needle through, but other than that, it didn't hurt. Once I was able to, I went to a muggle store and bought a bar, then took the trinket off of the end, shrunk a replica of a snitch and put a permanent stick charm on it.

Nifty, eh?" said Cassandra. "You're scary Grim." said Sirius. She grinned, "Thanks. Now, what is on the agenda today?" "Today is a Hogsmeade trip. Guess they fgured we could use a break after those O.W.L.S." answered James. "Ok. Then, I'm going to change now, so it's time to say buh-bye to the perverts." "Who us? Aw, you're too kind." said James. She smirked yet again, "Ya know James, Lily could wake up at any minute and if she sees you in here while I'm changing, I think dear old Snivelly-poo would have a better chance than you. Trust me on that one." "Ok, bye-bye." he said, then ran out. "And as for you, Mr. Black, if one of my roommates were to wake up and you were in here, they might not be as good about it as I am. Then you might loose Hogsmeade priveliges and then who would I drink fire whiskey with?" she pouted. "Aw, alright . But I'll catch you one of these days." "PERV!" "Alright I'm going!!" he cried, peeling out of the room. Cassandra changed into a black tanktop and a black denim miniskirt. She threw on her hogwarts robes over it and put on some black waffle clompers. She tied her hair half up and did her usual make-up (eyeliner, eye shadow, lip gloss) then went downstairs. The boys were already there. "What's with the robe?" asked Remus. "You guys haven't seen my new skirt yet! So....'TADA'!!!" she cried and took off the robe. Peter fell backwards and Remus's eyes widened. James and Sirius, however, applauded. "Knew we hung out with her for a reason." sad James. "Hey, remember when we were in second year and I said that she was as good looking as us? I'm changing that statement. She's prettier." said Sirius. "Why?" asked James. "Because, none of us could look that good in a miniskirt." James nodded, "Very true." "Good morning!" called Lily from the stairs. "Hey Lil! Like my new skirt?" asked Cassandra. "It's cute! Remember, I was with you when you bought it?" "Oh yeah!" Lily herself was wearing a powder blue tanktop, jean shorts and sneakers. "Aw Evans, why can't you dress like your little friend once in a while, hm?"asked James, a goofy grin on his face. Cassandra groaned. "Here we go again." she thought. "James Potter why do you even bother! You know I don't dress like that! I don't dress like I'm going clubbing every day!!!! ooops, no offense Cas!" she added. Casandra nodded. "But why not? Grim looks so good when she dresses like this. Take a leaf out of her book! Like yesterday with Snivellus!!" cried James. "I'll see you at breakfast Cas." and with that, she stormed out of the room. "It's no fair! Why does she treat me like I'm dirt?!" cried James angrily. "Probably because you torture Snivellus so consistently." answered Cassandra wisely. "But so do you! And she hangs out with you!!!" cried James. "Yeah, but I don't call attention to myself. I'm not the one who hung him upside down yesterday." reminded Cassandra. Grumbling, James managed out, "Let's go to breakfast."

Once they were in the hall, and had taken seats, they began to eat as consistently as before. They talked occasionally, until.... "OW! Why'd you kick me Grim?" asked Sirius. "Because I forgot to earlier, and oh yeah!" Cassandra kicked Peter under the table. "OW! What the hell?" "You told them about my belly button ring, that wasn't very nice." "Sorry." "It's ok, I shan't hurt you any more." she said sweetly. "Returning to chivalry Grim? Thought that was reserved for us knights."said Remus. "Yeah," agreed Sirius, "So you can be the humble bar wench, with your shirt showing-" "Come off of it Black, that's an awful thing to say to a lady. Especially one as wonderful as Cassandra." said a boy, cutting him off. He had short black hair and brown eyes. "Who are you?" asked Cassandra angrily. "Oh yes, I'm Jack, Jack Stower. Now, would you like to go out with me?" he asked. "What's your house and year?" asked Sirius, who was unhappy about being cut off. "Ravenclaw and 5th. I do believe that it is up to Ms. Cassandra to choose whether she would like to accompany me to Hogsmeade today, not yours Black." Cassandra giggled a bit. "Sure, I'll go to Hogsmeade with you. Ut I do want to meet up with my friends on my day off." she said. Jack nodded, "But of course, I woldn't dream of itI any other way." and then he bowed and walked off. "Well, that was intriguing." said Remus. "Aw, ickle Grimy-poo on her first date, how sweet." said Sirius in a mock baby voice. Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "Just because I don't go around shagging all the people of the opposite sex in my year, below and above doesn't mean I have never had a date before Sirius. I'll meet you guys at one in the Three Broomsticks." said Cassandra angrily. She then stood up and stormed out of the hall. "Hey Padfoot man, remember yesterday and this morning, when Lily was all pissed off at me? I think Cassandra feels the same about you right now." said James. "I know, I know. Shut up." muttered Sirius.

Cassandra met Jack in the Entrance Hall when it was time to go and they walked out of the

grounds together. "So, do you like quidditch?" asked Cassandra as they walked. "Nah, never

really cared much for the sport." he replied. "Oh... ok." Cassandra was hesitant. What sort of a

fruit doesn't like quidditch? "Do you play?" asked Jack. "On my own yeah, I play seeker, but not for the house team. I'm trying out next year though. James and Sirius are on the team, so shoud stand a pretty good chance if one of them makes captain." "Rght unch of conceited jerks they are, those two. Always flipping people in the air and things like that. And you, an innocent bystander all the time, how dreadful."By now, they had made it to the high roads of Hogsmeade. "So, want to wander the shops?" suggested Jack. "Sure, there is a new shipment of eye ice in Zonko's. Let's go." replied Cassandra, hurrying off to the joke shop. So they checked out the new eye ice, ice spheres hexed to look like eyeballs. They went to Durvish and Bangs and passed the Shreiking Shack. Cassandra found Jack frightfully boring, and longed to be with the boys, who she knew were holed up in there. "Hey, follow me for a moment, won't you Cassandra?" asked Jack, turning down an alleyway. "Sure, but please, just call me Cas."replied Cassandra, following him through the alley and out into the forest. He stopped speaking, but beckoned for her to follow him. Once they were a bit into the forest, Jack turned around. "Jack, where are we-" "silencio."said Jack, pointing his wand at her. She ceased speaking. A look of fear glazed over her eyes as a man with long hair stepped out from behind a tree. "Good job, Stower, you may go." said the man. "As for you, Cassy-poo."

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks, sipping butterbeer as the clock slowly struck three. "Where is she? I realize she was mad, and probably went to shag that Stower guy, but she had never been two hours late. Ever." said Sirius, staring at the clock. "Want to look for her?" suggested James. They agreed, paid Madam Rosemerta for their drinks and went into the street. They checked all of the shops, the Hogs Head and the Shrieking Shack, but Cassandra was no where to be found. "The woods?" suggested Remus. "I doubt, it, is she that desperate?" asked Sirius, "Oh well, let's check anyways." So the four of them checked the edges of the woods, then slowly worked their way through. "Grim?" "Griiiiiim?" "Grim you sorry bitch answer us!" called Sirius. "This is starting to piss me off!" Remus combed through the bushes. "Grim please answer us! Oh my god." he yelled, then hushed instantly. James Sirius and Peter were at his side in an instant. Cassandra lay sprawled on her back her glasses strewn to the side, her wand and clothing next to her. Her eyes were closed peacefully and her head lolled to the side. "Help me get her dressed." said Sirius quietly. As they dressed her, they never noticed the white blond haired man watching them from behind the trees, smirking.

Sirius carefully cradled Cassandra in his arms as they walked back up to the castle. It was all his fault and he knew it. If he had been nicer this morning, she might not have agreed, ad she wouldn't now be god knows what. He didn't even know if she was alive. Peter and Remus had run ahead to get Madam Pomfrey, while James stayed with Sirius to make sure his knees didn't buckle. They were all very upset, and James would be even more so when Lily found out. How was it that only yesterday he was extracting Snape's pants in front of the whole school, and a giggling Cassandra. She had hidden it when Lily was watching her, but why did Cassandra always shield her emotions from the rest of them? Why was it her to carry the burden of the world on her shoulders. And now that she was hurt, the world came crashing down upon them all, crushing them. Maybe, if she had not shielded herself, making it seem she was always happy, when James had known she was depressed, and done nothing, because his arrogance had stopped him, maybe she would not be so prone to things like this. But it was too late. It happened, whatever it was that happened and they could do nothing about it. Madam Pomfrey came rushing up to them. She used a levitating spell and rushed back to the Hospital Wing. She set Cassandra down on the bed. "Mr. Lupin, please fetch Professor McGongall for me." said Madam Pomfrey after a few minuted of checking her, keeping the boys at a far distance. Remus ran off again and returned with Professor McGongall. "Professor, may I see you in my office?" inquired Pomfrey. McGongall looked at Cassandra, then nodded curtly and followed her in. "What happened to Ms. Devoir?" asked Professor McGongall. "Professor, this is very serious, Cassandra Devoir was raped." said Madam Pomfrey quickly. She hated to admit that such atrocity could happen to a young girl like Cassandra. McGongall clapped a hand over her mouth. Despite Cassandra's knack for trouble making, she was one of the best students she ever had to fortune to teach, and now this? This would destroy her spirit. "Surely you don't beleve one of the four boys outside committed this act?" asked McGongall. "We cannot be sure. Veritaserum might be in order. Do you think any of them would be capable of it?" asked Pomfrey. "NO! James fancies Ms. Evans, and Remus is a close friend. Peter is not stupid enough to do this and Sirius would kill himself before harming a hair on that girl's head." "Does she have any enemies? Male enemies?" "Just two. Severus Snape and Lucious Malfoy. But Lucious graduated three years ago."

The two sad women walked out of Madam Pomfrey's office. "What happened? Is she ok? Who did this to her?" the boys demanded. "Boys. Cassandra Devoir was raped. We need to know who she was with today, if you don't answer us, we will be forced to use Veritaserum." said Madam Pomfrey. "She was with a guy. A fifth year named Jack...... Stower." said Remus, vaguely recalling the morning's affairs. The fourth person to ever figure out he was a werewolf and not freak out was laying in front of him. She who had hugged him when his parents were getting divorced, and had helped him through all of his dismal affairs. The first girl to ever willingly go out on a full moon with him. She was his first female friend, and the very thing he had warned James and Sirius of that very morning had come true. His worst fears confirmed. But no matter how bad he and the boys felt, they were nowhere as scarred and damaged as Cassandra herself. Why oh why was life so complicated?

As Cassandra slept an image went through her head. It was blurry, but she could make it out.

Now I will tell you what I've done for you

50,000 tears I've cried

screaming, deceiving and bleeding for you

but you still won't hear me

Sirius stood there. "Cas, come back to us." "But where am I?" she asked, but Sirius just shook his head and disappeared

Don't want your hand this time I'll save myself

maybe I'll wake up for once

not tormented daily defeated by you

just when I thought I'd reached the bottom

I'm dying again

James appeared. "Cas, why do you do that to yourself? We want to know if you are upset, or if you are angry with us. Don't bottle it up." "How would you know?" she asked angrily, but James tooshook his head and disappeared

I'm going under

drowning in you

I'm falling forever

I've got to break through

I'm going under

Remus now appeared. "Thank you for being my friend Cassandra, it means a lot. But please wake up. It's terrible right now." "Why do you all keep doing this?!" she screamed, but Remus didn't even shake his head, he just faded away.

Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies

so I don't know what's real and what's not

always confusing the thoughts in my head

so I can't trust myself anymore

I'm dying again

Now Lily was in front of her. "C'mon Cas. Sirius is a mess! We're all a mess! You need to open your eyes! Take my hand and pull yourself out!!" Cassandra grasped her hand and this time, rather than disappearing, Cassandra went with her.

I'm going under

drowning in you

I'm falling forever

I've got to break through

I can't keep going under

So go on and scream

scream at me

I'm so far away

I won't be broken again

I've got to breathe, I can't keep going under

The light hurt her eyes when she opened them. Cassandra sat up and looked around, but saw only Sirius sitting there. His head was resting lightly against her bed and he was muttering to himself. "Sirius?" she asked softly. His head shot up and she saw his bloodshot eyes. Was he crying? "Cas, you're awake!" he said happily. "Sirius, what is going on? What happened and why am I in the Hospital Wing? Did Snivellus get me with another jinx?" Sirius felt like he was going to cry again. "But don't you remember? Anything at all?" This tme, Cassandra shook her head. "Sirius, please tell me what's wrong?" she sad desperately, about to cry herself, seeing her friend so distraught. "Cas, you...you were raped." he said. Suddenly, Cassandra's eyes rolled up into her head and she glimpsed a white blonde haired man.... Cassandra started to cry, her memory coming back to her in the flash. Sirius reached out and tried to hug her. She reached out and latched onto his upper half. He stood up carefully and sat on her bed, keeping his arms around her. He rubbed her back. "It's ok, you're ok now, please don't cry." he kept chanting, saying t not only her, but himself. He was afraid he would cry again and upset her more. As she sobbed into his shoulder, Cassandra remembered again and again, and she couldn't get it out of her mind. Even after she had run out of tears, she remained clutching onto him. "Thank you Sirius." she said softly. Suddenly, the door burst open. "CAS!!!!!" cried three voices. Cassandra looked up and three people tackled her onto her bed, followed by a person walking. Lily hugged her tightly. "Thought you'd never wake up." "It's about bloody time!" "Glad to have you back." "I broguht your homework." Cassandra gave a weak smile. "I know, shut up, me too and gee thanks."she said to the four people. "SHOO!!!! GET OUT YOU TROUBLE MAKERS!!!! I WON'T HAVE YOU MAKING A JOKE OF MY WNG! YOU CAN SEE YOUR FRIEND TOMORROW, NOW OUT!" yelled Madam Pomfrey, rushing into the room. "NO." said Sirius, not budging. "GR. Fine, the four of you then, out!" she cried. "See you later!" they called as they ran out. "And you," she said, pointing at Sirius, "stay far away from her. The poor dear needs her rest!!" Then she went to her office. "Sirius?" "Yeah Cas?" "Thank you?" "For what?" "For always being there for me. You're a wonderful friend." then she stood up, walked over to the next bed, which he was sitting on, and latched onto him again. He wrapped his arms around her again and they sat like that until Cassadra fell asleep, when Sirius tucked her in. He could have held her there like that all night, but didn't want to run the risk of Madam Pomfrey's wrath in the morning. Then he too, tucked himself n, and closed his eyes, determined to sleep.

The next morning, Sirius awoke first. He looked over at Cassandra. She was still on her back, but there was a look of panic on her face. "Nooooooo." she moaned softly. "Leave me alone! Somebody! Help! Sirius! James! Remus! Peter! Lily! Please...." she drifted off again. Sirius felt tears rising in his eyes again. Had she yelled for them? Had they been less than a mile away when she had screamed for their help? When they had been in the Shrieking Shack, not 100 meters from where they found her? She stirred a bit more, then shot up. "Oh thank you God." she said. She looked around, then at Sirius. "Good morning. I'm going to go up to the tower for clothes ok? Want me to get you some?" she asked. Sirius shook his head. "Nah, you go ahead, I'll cover for you." Cassandra nodded, then left the wing, feeling suddenly very naked in the tank top and skirt she wore. She walked down the silent halls towards Gryffindor Tower and was on the fourth floor when she heard the usual cold drawling voice. "So, out so early for a particular reason?" asked Snape. " None of your concern." she replied. "So how does it feel? To be impure? The one thing you can never have back, taken from you by somebody whom you've only barely known. I wonder if your precious Black still wants you now that you are, shall we say, impure?" "Y'know what? I'm not in the mood for this. Locomotor Mortis." she muttered. Snape fell forward and she hurried off. She quickly said the password and went upstairs. She grabbed a black turtleneck and a pair of button up trousers plus some boots. After she changed she was about to leave when- "Cas is that you?" asked a sleepy Lily sitting up. "Yep." replied Cassandra. "So how are you feeling?" asked Lily. Suddenly a boiling anger filled up inside of her. "In the past two days Lily, I have been deceived, raped by some guy barely know, had my best friends blame themselves for something that was entirely not their fault and had Snivellus tell me I was impure, but I'm JUST GREAT!" she cried, throwing her hands into the air. "I'm sorry Cas. We should go to breakfast ok?" she asked, getting up. "OK, but let me go get Sirius, I'll bet he's hungry too." replied Cassandra, "meet ya there." She then left the tower and headed back down to the Hospital Wing, hoping desperately that Snape was in another part of the castle.