Chapter 10 Consequences Part II

Over the next couple of days I would keep Snuffles in my room as Harry and I would wander up and down Diagon Alley. It was a lot more fun having a friend to see the shops with rather than by myself.

The night before the last day of summer holidays Snuffles scratched at the door.

"What time is it?" I asked, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

Snuffles didn't answer, he just scratched at the door again.

"I guess I do need to let you go…" I said sadly.

He trotted over to me and panted happily.

"Okay…" I put on a jacket and opened the door for him.

I grabbed my wand and muttered, "Lumos."

He walked ahead of me but would turn around to grin his weird doggy grin at me.

"I don't know how you could be so happy to be going, when I'm just really sad." I smiled sadly at him.

He wagged his tail and hit my leg as gently as he could.

"If you're happy…" I said as we walked down the stairs.

The inn was dark since no one else was down here and Tom didn't need to keep the fire going if he wasn't down here.

Snuffles happily danced by the door as I knelt down.

"I'm going to miss you." I said as he finally came over to me and we did that weird hug I was accustomed too.

He gruffed at me.

"When I get my inheritance completely figured out I'll do what I can to give you a home. If I can find you next year." I muttered to myself.

Snuffles licked my face and scratched at the door.

"Okay… Okay… I'm sorry." I said as I opened the door.

Snuffles gave my hand one last lick and put his nose in my hand. I scratched his ears one last time and I watched him disappear into the darkness.

I was woken up with someone knocking on my door.

"Cassie! Wake up!" Harry was saying.

"I'm up, I'm up." I yawned as I sat up.

Ariel was rubbing herself against my back.

"I know." I rubbed my eyes as I got out of bed and opened the door.

Harry grinned at me, "wake up sleepy head!" He nudged the bottom of my chin with his knuckles.

"I'm - I'm getting there." I yawned, opening the door and allowing him inside my room.

"Hurry up and change. I don't think we'll see Hermione and Ron until tomorrow but we can still enjoy our last day together." Harry said as he sat on my bed and scratched Ariel's ears.

"Sounds good to me." I nodded.

I grabbed a change of clothes and walked into the bathroom. I gave my face a gentle wash and then cleaned my nose piercing. I brushed my teeth and changed.

I walked out of the bathroom to see Harry laying on my bed with Ariel curled up on his chest.

"I wish I had a camera." I smiled at him.

Harry lifted his head and gave me a sly grin as he moved Ariel off his chest. She gave a noise of protest but settled down on my pillow.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Yeah." I nodded as I slipped on my shoes and we walked out of my room.

We managed to sneak out of the inn without gathering too much attention. Ever since Harry had gotten here he was the one every patron wanted to talk too. So we had to start being sneaky to get in and out to Diagon Alley. Once we made it out Harry and I shared a grin and headed towards the Quality Quidditch Supplies.

The Firebolt was just too beautiful of a broom not to admire. And Harry had even tried convincing me to buy it for myself, if only so that he could borrow it for the games. Even though I was sorely tempted I just couldn't justify replacing my broomstick.

"Last chance to get it." Harry teased as we turned around to leave the shop.

"I know." I sighed dramatically with a smile.

"Where do you want to go for lunch?" Harry asked when we got through the door.

"I'm feeling-"

"Harry! Cassie!" A voice called down the street.

We turned around and I felt the excitement in my chest.

Ron and Hermione were sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Ron was more freckly than usual, and Hermione was extremely brown from her trip to France. Harry and I walked over to them with the biggest grins on our faces.

"Finally!" Ron grinned as we sat with them. ""We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd both already left, and we went to Flourish and Blott's, and Madam Malkin's, and -"

"We got all our school stuff last week," Harry gestured to the both of us as Hermione and I shared a side hug. "How did you know we were staying at the Leaky Cauldron?" Harry asked.

"Dad." Ron answered.

Harry and I shared a look. Mr. Weasley worked for the Ministry of Magic. If he had heard of Harry's situation, there's no way he didn't know about mine.

"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" Hermione asked in a serious manner.

"I didn't mean to," Harry answered.

Ron started to roar with laughter while I giggled. I may have heard about it from Harry, but Ron's laugh was contagious.

"I just - lost control." Harry shrugged.

"It's not funny, Ron" Hermione snapped. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"So am I." Harry nodded in agreement. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested."

Harry turned to Ron, "your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"

"Probably 'cause it's you, isn't it?" Ron shrugged. "Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry would do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because mum would've killed me. Anyway, you can ask dad yourself this evening. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight too! So you can come to King's Cross with us tomorrow! Hermione's there as well!"

I turned to Hermione with a big smile.

"Mum and dad dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things." Hermione nodded with a beaming smile of her own.

"Excellent!" Harry was just as happy.

"Now. Before we continue with our conversation." Ron interrupted just as Harry was about to say something.

"Cassie." He turned to me seriously.

"Yes?" I stared back at him.

"Is it true you're the daughter of Sirius Black?" He asked.

"It's true." I nodded.

Ron paled a little while Hermione gasped and put a hand to her mouth.

"I found out last year before the start of term. But instead of focusing on him, the Chamber was a little bit more important." I said, raising my eyebrows at the Chamber part.

"And this summer I finally had the chance to sit and think it through. And yes I know he's a follower of Voldemort."

Hermione and Ron winced at that.

"But I still wanted to reach out and get to know him. I had a little bit of hope that he had changed.. Or would change once he found out about me." I admitted sheepishly.

"Does he know?" Hermione asked quietly.

"I don't know." I shook my head. "I sent the letter and the next thing I knew he was out. When two of the Ministry workers came to tell me about my inheritance, I asked but they wouldn't tell me."

"Wait - inheritance?" Ron asked, his eyes narrowing.

"The Black Inheritance." I nodded.

"But you still don't know if Black knows about you or not?" Hermione was quick to avoid that conflict.

"No I don't." I shook my head.

"Have you got all your school books yet?" Harry was quicker to change the subject.

"Look at this." Ron pulled out a wand box with pride. "Brand-new wand. Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn hair. And we've got all our books -" Ron pointed to a large bag under his chair. "What about those Monster Books, eh? The assistant nearly cried when we said we wanted two."

"How many books do you have, 'Mione?" I asked, looking down at her bags.

"Well, I'm taking more subjects than you, aren't I?" Hermione flicked her bushy hair over her shoulder. "Those are my books for Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, the Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies -"

"What are you doing Muggle Studies for?" Ron rolled his eyes towards Harry. "You're a Muggle-born! Your mum and dad are Muggles! You already know all about Muggles!"

"But it'll be fascinating to study them from the wizarding point of view." Hermione explained earnestly.

"Are you planning on eating or sleeping at all this year, Hermione?" Harry asked, earning a snigger from Ron.

"I think it's great that you're getting a chance to take all the offered courses." I nudged Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione grinned thankfully at me as the boys sniggered to themselves.

"I've still got ten Galleons," Hermione checked her purse. "It's my birthday in September, and mum and dad gave me some money to get myself an early birthday present."

"How about a nice book?" Ron asked innocently, but the smile he and Harry shared was not innocent.

"No, I don't think so." Hermione did amazing in keeping her composure.

I admire that about her.

"I really want an owl. I mean, Harry's got Hedwig, Cassie has Barnabas, and you've got Errol -"

"I haven't," Ron shook his head. "Errol's a family owl. All I've got is Scabbers." He pulled out his rat. "And I want to get him checked over, I don't think Egypt agreed with him."

I looked closely at the rat. He had started to turn a lighter color and his whiskers were droopy in a sad way. I gently pat the rat with my finger and he rubbed against it.

"There's a magical creature shop just over there," Harry pointed down the street.

We wandered around Diagon Alley long enough to know where everything is now.

"You could see if they've got anything for Scabbers, and Hermione can get her owl." Harry finished as I turned to grin at Hermione.

Ron picked up Scabbers and he squinted at me.

"Cassie, you have something on your nose." He pointed.

Hermione looked at my face and also squinted.

"Is that, a ruby?" Hermione looked at me skeptically.

"I got my nose pierced." I winked at her and grinned mischievously at Ron.

"Wicked!" Ron breathed.

"Did it hurt? And what is-" Hermione stopped herself.

"Yes it hurt, and the only opinions I care about are my friends." I explained gently.

"Okay. I think you looked fine without it." Hermione said honestly.

I'll admit. It stung just a little bit but I grinned nonetheless.

"You're probably right. But now I look cooler." I winked as we got up and paid for Ron's and Hermione's ice cream.

The Owl Emporium was just as crowded as ever. I tried to avoid looking at the different animals because I would walk out with another one if I wasn't careful.

Hermione pointed at the different animals and I would pro and con if she really wanted it. Harry and Ron walked up to the counter together and Hermione walked over to the owls. They didn't have anymore of the snowy owls like Hedwig, but there were several barn owls and screech owls for Hermione to choose from.

"CROOKSHANKS - NO!" The witch behind the counter shrieked as the orange cat leapt from somewhere and spat at Scabbers.

"What in the world?" Hermione asked as the boys ran after Scabbers who had taken off out of the shop.

"That's Crookshanks." I pointed, a grin forming. "He's been here for a really long time. No one wants him. I would have taken him my first year, but it didn't feel right. I didn't get him last year because I really wanted an owl. This year, you're looking for an owl. Perhaps I can get you to change your mind and you can get a cat instead?" I said as the orange came growled his way over to us.

"No one wants him? The poor thing." Hermione knelt down to pet him.

"I do. I just can't justify another animal." I answered, also kneeling down to pet him.

"No one wants him." The lady sighed as she came over to us.

"I want him." Hermione answered.

"What." The woman didn't register what Hermione just said.

"I'll take him." Hermione picked up the now purring cat.

"He comes with a litter box-" The lady was quick to give Hermione a bunch of stuff to take care of Crookshanks.

"He and Ariel may not get along at first, and that's okay." I said quietly as Hermione also picked up the rat tonic Ron had forgotten.

"Okay." Hermione nodded as we walked out.

Her arms were folded over the cat, who was purring his broken purr happily. I was carrying what I could of her bags. We both had the biggest grins on our faces when we joined up with the boys.

"You bought that monster?" Ron's mouth dropped.

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" Hermione was over the moon with Crookshanks.

"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" Ron was not happy about this situation at all.

""He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks." Hermione crooned.

"And what about Scabbers? Ron pointed at a lump in his chest pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get that thing around?"

"That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic." Hermione slapped the red bottle into Ron's hand. "And stop worrying, Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers in yours, what's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in there for ages; no one wanted him." Hermione started to lead the way back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"I wonder why." Ron said sarcastically to Harry.

Mr. Weasley was sitting at the bar, reading the Daily Prophet when we joined him.

"Harry!" Mr. Weasley noticed Harry first. "How are you?"

"Fine, thanks." Harry helped me put some bags down.

"Oh, hello Cassie." Mr. Weasley paused when he saw me.

"Hello Mr. Weasley." I stared hard at him.

'Don't you dare start to judge me.' I thought harshly to myself.

"How are you?" He asked cautiously.

"Getting used to knowing my father is out and about and won't be coming to see me. How are you?"

I know I wasn't being fair, but I really didn't want him to think differently of me.

"He hasn't come to see you?" Mr. Weasley asked, keeping his voice even but his eyes said more than he wanted.

"No." I shook my head. "But I don't even know if he got my letter or not. And I doubt he's going to be coming in this crowded place anytime soon." I gestured around me.

Mr. Weasley's ears grew red from embarrassment.

"They still haven't caught him, then?" Harry asked, making a point to sit next to me and throwing his arm around my shoulders.

"No." Mr Weasley cleared his throat. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far."

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" Ron asked quickly. "It'd be good to get some more money-"

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. Black's not going to be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, you mark my words." Mr. Weasley pinched the bridge of his nose.

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley walked in with the rest of their tribe. My face lit up when I saw the twins and Ginny.

"Cassie!" Ginny gave Mrs. Weasley a look and hurried over to me.

"Hello Ginny!" I was relieved to stand up and hug the girl.

Last year I tried to save her from an enchanted book, but Harry ended up saving both of our lives.

"What is on your nose?" She asked, pulling away and squinting at it.

"A nose piercing." I grinned at her.

Percy sniffed at me, but held his hand out to Harry as if they had never met before, "Harry. How nice to see you."

"Hello, Percy." Harry gave me a look and I knew he was trying not to laugh.

"I hope you're well?" Percy started to pump their hands in the air like Harry was the mayor.

"Very well thanks-" Harry nodded.

"Harry!" Fred elbowed Percy out of the way and bowed deeply while grabbing Harry's hand. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy-"

"Marvelous," George pushed Fred aside and grabbed Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing."

Harry was laughing and Ginny and I were giggling over it.

"That's enough, now." Mrs. Weasley placed some of her bags next to a table.

"Mum!" Fred spoke as though he had just spotted her and seized her hand too.

George smiled at me and tapped the side of his nose. "I like it." He muttered as we hug.

"I do too." I winked up at him as I smacked my lips and made a quiet kissing noise.

He winked back at me and pulled out a chair for me. I sat down in it and he took the seat next to me.

"How really corking to see you-" Fred was saying to Mrs. Weasley.

"I said, that's enough." Mrs. Weasley pulled her hand out of Fred's.

Fred walked over to me and ruffled my hair, also giving his nose a tap as he sat on my other side.

"Hello, Harry dear. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" Mrs. Weasley made it a point not to look at me as she talked to Harry.

"Second Head Boy in the family!" Mrs. Weasley pointed to the silver badge on Percy's chest.

"And last." Fred muttered to me under his breath.

"I don't doubt that." Mrs Weasley frowned, looking at the twins but still avoiding my gaze. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."

"What do we want to be prefects for?" George looked and sounded revolted at the idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life."

"Actually, it would have given you the opportunity to use the excuse to pull more pranks." I shrugged.

Fred and George actually paused and stared at each other with their mouths open.

"Fred."

"George."

"We messed up." They said together.

Ginny giggled.

"You want to set a better example for you sister, and you," Mrs. Weasley finally acknowledged me and pointed an accusing finger at me. "I don't want you giving my boys any bad ideas."

"Mrs. Weasley," I started cooly. "If your boys get any ideas from me I'm sure they wouldn't tell you."

She and I glared at each other.

"I am not Sirius Black. How dare you let that little bit of knowledge affect the way you see me." I spoke clearly.

Several patrons heard my comment and started whispering to each other.

Percy interjected into the tension, "Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother. I'm going up to change for dinner…"

George heaved a sigh as Mrs. Weasley looked away from me.

"We tried to shut him in a pyramid, but mum spotted us." George muttered to Harry and I.

And here we are. I know Mrs. Weasley is being rude and I promise I adore her! But I just don't see her accepting Cassie as one of her own now that her father has been revealed. We'll all just have to wait and see if she does start to accept Cassie again.

Shout out to katie owl and Pamela Hutchins for leaving reviews!

katie owl: I haven't decided if they're going to have a romance or not. And no, it isn't going to be a fore runner for Harry and Cassie. I had different ideas for her romantically but I haven't figured out how they're going to work out instead.

Pamela Hutchins: You make me so happy! (Wishing for emoji's right now LOL!) And you have some good ideas! You'll just have to wait and see!

Shout out to nobodyblank for following the first story!

And just a heads up. My boyfriend had gotten himself hurt at work and so we'll be travelling back and forth from out town to the Big City so if I do get the updates out they'll be late on Saturday, or sometime during the week and I do apologize!