Chapter 5.2
Cassie's Family Tree
Angel walked deliberately down five flights of steps and through the hallway towards the gargoyles. Ginny could just barely keep up with him. He was angry. He didn't want comforting, he wanted to be left alone now, he wanted to storm. But when he reached the statues, he realized he did not know the password.
Angle kicked one statue as hard as he could, achieving nothing but a very sore foot. "Damn it, open up." The gargoyles just seemed to stare at him, not moving. "Damn it, if you don't open…..Professor Dumbledore!..Come on, I don't have time to…. " To his surprise, the door opened and the stairway was revealed. Angel and Ginny stepped onto the stairs and they began their ascent into the headmaster's office.
Was Dumbledore expecting them?
Angel walked into the circular office, not noticing the snoozing pictures, the silver instruments, the morning light that shone across the room or even that Fawkes was on his perch, awake and watching. He walked forward, staring intently at Dumbledore. Dumbledore was sitting behind the large clawfooted desk in deep thought. He looked up and smiled. "Angel, Ginny, I was hoping you would come by tonight. Please take a seat."
Though his anger had not lessened, Angel's curiosity took over. Why would Dumbledore expect him to come by to see him? What was going on? He stared at Ginny who had already taken a seat and was looking intently at Dumbledore. He raised one eyebrow, took a breath and let it out quickly. With a feeling of defeat, he walked slowly a few steps forward and took his seat, facing Dumbledore's desk.
Dumbledore smiled, "Mr. Filch told me that someone was in the trophy room tonight. I deduced that it might have been you. Not a difficult deduction to make, as you have been walking through the castle in the wee hours of the morning for quite some time."
"I know a great many things that happen in the castle and I have become aware of what you found." Dumbledore paused for a moment, leaned forward slowly and then resumed. "I was hoping that your mother would have explained things to you, but she has not. I have been meaning to have this talk with you for quite some time. Now is the right time to have that talk; to be told about your family. And even though your mother may not agree with me, I cannot allow it to be put off any longer."
Although he felt a bit sick, Angel wished that Dumbledore would skip all this explanation and just tell him; get on with it.
"There are few happenings within the wizarding families that are not known to me," said Dumbledore, "I knew both your mother and your mother's parents well. Your grandmother was a student here at Hogwarts. She was brought here from a muggle orphanage. Apparently, her mother and father died when she was very young. Not much else is known about her family, only that her father was a wizard who had no family left alive. Her mother's family did not wish to raise her, so they put her into the orphanage. It would appear that the family was muggle, but it is not certain."
"Your grandmother was one of the best potion makers that ever went to Hogwarts," Dumbledore smiled, "Potion makers seem to run in your family."
"Your grandmother was also a striking beauty. Even with her questionable lineage, she sorted into Slytherin. She caught the eye of several young Slytherin men, yet not one dared to ask her out publicly, knowing that their parents would have disapproved."
"But your grandfather was a very headstrong young man and did what he wanted, usually outside of the eyes of others. He and your grandmother met secretly in their 7th year. The day they graduated, they did not go back to their homes, but left to be married."
"This did not sit well with the Black family, as your grandfather had been promised in marriage to the oldest girl from another pure blood family. Their union would make both families much more powerful and wealthy."
"Your grandfather's family came after him. It took them a week, but they found him and eventually 'persuaded' your grandfather to return to his family. The marriage was annulled. But Rose was pregnant with your mother, Cassie."
"Your grandfather engaged a couple, the Briarfords, to take Rose in and care for her until Cassie was born. When Rose died of 'childbed fever', the Briarfords took Cassie in. Your grandfather made sure that she had everything materially she needed and, upon his request, the Briarfords legally adopted her. Cassie had her physical needs taken care of, but the Briarfords did not treat her as a daughter. There was no love in that house."
"Your grandfather got remarried within a month of leaving Rose. Sirius was born ten months later. Mr. Black had many cares and responsibilities with his new family, yet I know that he visited Cassie. However as time passed he visited less and less."
"Time changes things. Your grandfather changed. The visits to Cassie stopped. He became the most outspoken proponent of anti-muggle legislation and proponent of every law that would promote pure blood power and control. We do not know what causes such a change in others, but it does happen. The Black's youngest son even joined the DEs."
"But I knew your grandfather and I can assure you that, even though he never admitted it, possibly even to himself, he never stopped caring for Rose or your mother. You will find that people are a mixture of thoughts, feelings and emotions. Your grandfather was no exception."
"Dumbledore removed his glasses and wiped them with his handkerchief. He continued, "I knew your mother well when she was at Hogwarts. She was quiet, almost shy, but with a great heart. She was sorted into Gryffindor."
"She and Harry's mother, Lily became fast friends. I rarely saw one without the other until seventh year, when Lily began dating James steadily. Your mother met your father at the world cup the summer before 7th year and was corresponding with him."
"Your mother left with your father the day they finished Hogwarts. They lived in Australia for a time and your mother returned here with you and your sister."
"Angel, I never met your father or his family, so I will not discuss your parent's with you. However, I will send an owl to your mother, telling her that we have had this discussion. Tomorrow begins Christmas break. That will give you and your mother time together."