Disclaimer: I'm NOT J.K. Rowling- you're shocked, aren't you?

Author's Note: Wow- haven't written this one in a while... my muses haven't been kind as of late --' By the way, if you don't notice this chapter, I'll tell you, I've begun using proper grammar, if you read any of my other stories, and I've learned some British Slang so we should be getting this sounding more realistic!

Another Marauder In Our Midst

chapter 5

Apologies and Preparations

The next day, Cassandra sat on the bed in the Room of Requirement, her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around herself protectively. She was busy yelling at herself.

"Why do you put yourself through this?" demanded a voice in her head. "He doesn't love you- he never will!" Another voice barged in.

"He DOES love you! Give him another chance! You must!" Cassandra was siding more with the first voice, wallowing in her very own, Cassandra sized pit of despair. Suddenly, the door opened, and Sirius walked in.

"'Lo." he said quietly. Cassandra looked up at him, and couldn't help herself from getting angry.

"Oh, did you forget to tell me something?"

"Yeah I-" he started. Cas glared.

"You what? Want me to go hole up in the Forbidden Forest, so, maybe, hopefully, an acromantula will get me? Or, oh! Would you like me to go bunk with Myrtle?" she asked scathingly. He stared at her aghast.

"NO! How can you SAY such a thing!" he demanded. Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I believe you told me a day ago that I was DEAD, so what would it matter if Myrtle had another roommate?"

"I never said that!" he retorted. She scoffed.

"Oh, so I'm deaf as well? I believe your words were 'You AREN'T Cassandra. The person who sits before me is cold and heartless. MY Cas, she died in the forest last week'" Cas glared at him. "Leave, you have a date."

"Yeah, so?" he asked.

"So you're going to ruin Shunpipe's life as well?" she demanded. Sirius glared right back at her.

"Maybe I am!"

"FINE!" Sirius hesitated slightly, but he leaned forward and caught her lips in a kiss. Cassandra was shocked to say the least, but after a moment's hesitation on her part, she fell into it. After a moment, they broke away, and she sat there, stunned. "Why?" she asked finally. Sirius stared at her confused.

"Why what?" he asked. She stared at him, teary eyed.

"Why do you lead me on like this? Just when I'm so close to having you, someone else walks into the picture and I'm back down to best mate. I don't want to be hurt though Sirius. I Don't LIKE being used, then thrown out. I don't want to be one of those girls who sends you scary fan mail filled with old underwear (this actually happened to him last year)! I want something that will MEAN something. Do you understand that?" she asked. Sirius merely stared at her for a moment, letting it sink in.

"Yes, I understand."

"And are you willing to do that?" she asked, her eyes downcast. She didn't expect him to give up a life of hopping just for her.

"Yes, I will. Will you be my girlfriend, Cassandra?" Cassandra laughed, nodding. "Alright, then, let's drag you out of that Grim sized pit of despair and go back to the common room." he said, holding a hand out to her. She took it and climbed off of the bed, then put on her shoes and the two walked out of the room.

As the two of them walked down the hall, people whispered and pointed even more than usual. One of Sirius's fan girls flipped her off. Cassandra merely laughed, holding her middle finger up.

"Hey look, I've got one too!" then she held up her other. "Bloody hell, I have TWO of 'em!" she cried, then they continued walking. Finally, the made it back to the Gryffindor Common Room. When they walked in, Lily was curled up on a couch, reading a book, James and Remus were playing a round of wizarding chess, and Peter was watching them. Peter noticed the two of them first.

"Hey, they're back!" he cried, pointing at the entrance hall. Cas merely chuckled.

"I love you too Wormtail." James grinned at Sirius as he approached him. Cas plopped down on the couch next to Lily.

"So... Padfoot. Any news in your relation ship status, Mr. Single-for-three-days-the-horror?" asked James. He hadn't known about Riley Shunpipe's date with him (which he'd cancelled).

"Why yes Prongs, in fact, she's rather grim if you ask me." he sighed. Lily squealed, slamming her book closed.

"Bout time Cass!" she cried, hugging her best friend. Then she turned to Sirius. "So, does this grim girl seem like one of those one-night-standers, or a more serious relationship?" she asked menacingly. Sirius laughed.

"I'm hoping a more serious one, though I think she was slightly chuffed at me, so she might just have her way with me, then dump me." he sighed. Lily scoffed.

"I'm sure she will." she said, rolling her eyes, then glancing at Cassandra and grinning. James grinned too.

"Oi Evans, now that your best mate is going with my best mate, you wanna go out with me?" he called across the room, although she was only five feet away. She glared at him.

"Not now, not ever Potter." she replied, then, dragging Cassandra to her feet, the two fled the room into the girl's dorms. The boys didn't bother following.

"So. How's it feel to not be single any more Cas?" asked Lily, bouncing onto her mate's bed.

"Lils, I've been his girlfriend for 10 minutes and jeez, it isn't like I've never had a boyfriend before." she muttered.

"Ah, but you've never had a boyfriend that you've been in love with since you were 11 years old." pointed out Lily, as Cassandra turned scarlet. Just then, James popped into the room.

"Hey girls, want to spend the summer at my place?"

"And WHY would we do that?" asked Cassandra, tilting her head slightly.

"Well, it beats your foster family's house! AND Sirius, Remus and Peter'll be there as well."

"And do your PARENTS know you're inviting GIRLS to your house?" demanded Lily. James nodded.

"THEY told me to invite you."

"Well, I've already told you Potter, bugger off and die." she said angrily, then turned from him.

"I'm in!" said Cassandra immediately. James shot her a thumbs up.

"Knew I could count on ya Grim! Padfoot'll be pleased." he said excitedly. Lily frowned.

"What about me?" she asked disappointedly.

"I offered you!" reminded James. Cassandra held up her hand for silence.

"Hows about this? I won't go for the first four weeks, so I can have some alone time with my dear Lillykins, then, for the rest of Summer holiday, I'll go to your place." she suggested. James shrugged.

"Whatever. I'll let you get back to your female bonding." he said, then disappeared back down the stairs.

"Cas! What about your birthday!" demanded Lily. Cassandra stared at her, confused. "You're going to be at his house for your birthday!" she reminded. Cassandra shrugged.

"Oh well, guess you'll have to floo in."

"Well aren't you the spiffing little comedian!" shrieked Lily. "Lord knows what Potter will try to do at your party."

"What party?" asked Cas, now even more confused.

"It's your 15th birthday!" she said excitedly.

"Yeah, uh, Lils, I sincerely DOUBT that Mr. And Mrs. Potter would throw me a party. They're nice people, but hell, NOBODY is THAT nice. Besides, I'm content being with my best friends and boyfriend." she sighed. Lily rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Whatever. I guess I'm just jealous they get to spend more time with you than I do." she said apologetically.

"And WHOSE fault is that?" asked Cassandra.

"Oh, quiet you." said Lily vehemently, throwing a pillow in her short friend's face.