Chapter 13 Back At Home
George had a bit of a blush on his cheeks as he helped me down from the carriage. I didn't even get a chance to say anything about it before Draco was upon us.
"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Draco had the most gleeful look on his face.
"Oh sod off Draco." I rolled my eyes.
"Shut up Black." Draco turned to me with malice.
"Hey!"
"Shove off, Malfoy!"
"Watch it!"
So many voices shouted at him that Draco had to take a step back.
"Is there a problem?" Remus' quiet voice asked from behind us.
I turned around to look at him and he avoided my gaze.
"Oh, no - er - professor." Draco had a hint of sarcasm in his voice
Draco walked up the stairs ahead of us.
"Black, huh?" Remus said, taking a step to stand next to me.
"Yeah. I meant to tell you, but I didn't want to give you too much of a shock." I shrugged.
"Do you guys know each other?" George asked, taking my hand.
"We met over the summer." I answered.
Ron lead the way for us into the castle.
"I will see you in class, Cassie." Remus nodded to me and walked through the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall.
"Potter! Granger! Zwart!" McGonagall called.
The group of us turned around. She was standing near a set of stairs instead of going to get the first years.
"There's no need to look so worried - I just want a word in my office." She said, seeing all of our faces. "Move along Weasley. They'll be back shortly."
Ron stared after us as Harry, Hermione, and I followed McGonagall up to her office. George and Fred walked into the Great Hall to get a seat for the Feast.
When we entered her office, McGonagall motioned for us to sit. I did so gratefully and put my head back against the back of the chair.
"Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you two had taken ill on the train." I heard McGonagall say.
The door opened and lifted my head to see Madam Pomfrey come in.
"I'm fine," Harry said, turning pink. "I don't need anything-"
"Oh it's you two, is it?" Madam Pomfrey ignored Harry and started giving him a look over. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"Yes." I answered, sitting forward so that she could give me a look over as well.
"It was a dementor, Poppy." McGonagall shook her head at me, but she and Madam Pomfrey shared a dark look.
"Setting dementors around the school." Madam Pomfrey clicked her tongue and felt Harry's forehead. "He won't be the last one to collapse. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are delicate -"
"I'm not delicate!" Harry was cross.
"Of course not dear." Madam Promfrey said absentmindedly as she approached me.
"Your head just hurts?" She asked, feeling around my head.
"Right here." I guided her fingers to the spot where it was hurting.
"Could it be the -?" She paused.
"The lock on my memories, maybe?" I shrugged.
"She told us about it." Hermione spoke up.
"What do they need?" McGonagall's voice was crisp. "Bed rest? Should they perhaps spends tonight in the hospital wing?"
"I'm fine!" Harry jumped.
"I really don't want to go to the hospital wing my first night back." I said, standing up.
"They should have some chocolate at the least, Miss Zwart should also drink water in replacement of pumpkin juice." Madam Pomfrey was trying to look into Harry's eyes.
"I've already had some. Professor Lupin gave us some on the train." Harry responded.
"Did he now?" Madam Pomfrey took a step back and nodded approvingly. "So we finally have a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"
"Are you sure you're alright, Potter?" McGonagall asked sharply.
"Yes." Harry nodded.
"Miss Zwart?" McGonagall turned to me.
"If I'm not fine in the morning, I'll go straight to the hospital wing." I nodded.
"Very well. Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her course schedule, then we can go down to the feast together."
Harry, Madam Pomfrey, and I stepped out into the hallway together. Harry and I stayed but Madam Pomfrey left in the direction of the hospital wing, muttering to herself.
"What do you -" I didn't get to finish my question.
McGonagall and Hermione were out of her room just moments after us. Hermione had the biggest grin on her face. I didn't try to ask her what was going on since McGonagall was with us. As we entered the Great Hall, I had to blink away the brightness of the candles.
"Oh, we missed the Sorting." Hermione said, pointing to the front.
Professor Flitwick was carrying a scroll, the Sorting Hat, and the bar stool out of sight.
"Oh shucks." I said as McGonagall walked towards the teachers table.
We headed towards the Gryffindor table. Harry tried to be inconspicuous, but I held my head high. I stared down anyone who would point at us, but it didn't do anything to stop the whispers that followed.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked as we sat down.
He had managed to save us seats. I sat next to George who handed me Ariel.
"She's been looking for you." He whispered in my ear.
"I kind of left her on the train. I'm sorry." I said as Ariel settled on my knees and started to purr.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…" Dumbledore cleared his throat at this moment. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
I sighed and rubbed my head. Harry gave me a sympathetic look as George rubbed my back in an effort to comfort me.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I all looked at each other at that.
"It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors."
Percy, sitting a few seats down from us, puffed out his chest and stared around. None of us were really impressed by this.
"On a happier note," Dumbledore continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Dumbledore gestured to Lupin.
He was looking really shabby compared to the rest of the teachers. I made sure to clap as enthusiastically as I would allow my head.
"Look at Snape!" Ron hissed across the table.
Snape had the worst expression on his face. His eyes were narrowed into slits and he had the worst sneer on his lips.
"How could he loathe Lupin when he just disliked Lockhart?" I asked quietly.
"As to our second new appointment." No one got to answer me since Dumbledore started talking again.
"Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
The Gryffindor table erupted into applause. I winced from the sudden noise but I applauded as well.
"We should've known!" Ron shouted. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"
I laughed in agreement and was one of the last few to stop clapping for Hagrid. I smiled at Hagrid as he wiped his eyes with the tablecloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance." Dumbledore hummed to himself. "Let the feast begin!"
The food appeared and Ariel jumped down from my lap and patiently waited for me to start dropping meat down for her.
"So, Princess, why the nose stud?" Fred asked from George's other side.
All of my friends perked up.
"I followed a guy into Knockturn Alley and he offered to do it. So I got it done." I answered.
"You went into Knockturn Alley?" Ron gasped through a mouthful of food.
"I did, on purpose." I winked at Harry who rolled his eyes.
Last year he accidentally flooed himself to a shop in Knockturn Alley rather than a shop in Diagon Alley when we were staying at the Weasley's house last year.
"Wicked." The twins said.
"How was it after your mum found out my dad was Sirius Black?" I asked.
All of the Weasley's gave each other looks as I ate my food.
"Please don't keep it from me, I want to know how much she hates me." I said when they took longer to answer.
"Well… She forbade us from being friends with you." Ron spoke first.
"And she forbade George from seeing me, I'm sure. But how did she react?" I pushed.
George put a hand on my back, "Cassie, I don't think -"
"I want to know." I said firmly. "She is the only other woman in my life whose opinion matters to me."
The Weasley's sighed.
"She was angry, Cassie. She started yelling about how you were using us for your gain. You were just a Black who was going to betray your friends." Fred finally answered.
"What do you guys think?" I asked.
"You're Cassie." Ron answered.
He and I looked at each other. We may not have the best communication with each other, but I knew he wouldn't turn his back on me. No matter what happened with him mom.
"Promise me you won't mention me in your letters to your mum." I said, my heart breaking just a little.
"But -" Ron tried to speak.
"I don't need you guys to stir Mrs. Weasley up by mentioning me in your letters. Either she'll come to her senses, or she won't." I shrugged
And here we go! I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I am trying to keep a goal of at least 3,000 words in my chapters, but sometimes they just end so wonderfully and I can't seem to add anything into the chapter to make it longer.
Shout out to katie owl and Pamela Hutchins for leaving a review!
katie owl: Thank you! I was giggling the entire time I wrote it. As for keeping it cannon, I'm going to try to keep it as close as possible. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about Peter Pettigrew at the moment. So for the time being, it's going to be 90% cannon, and there will be those moments where it's not going to be cannon.
Pamela Hutchins: You're welcome!
Shout out to Jak1498 for adding this story to your favorite's list!
Shout out to Arven Dawn for adding 'The Treasured Philosopher's Stone' to your following and favorite's list!
Shout out to Dandynose97 for following 'The Treasured Philosopher's Stone', 'The Treasured Chamber of Secrets', 'The Treasured Prisoner of Azkaban', and me!
Update on Boyfriend: We're still waiting on hearing back from Workman's Comp. They need to fill out paperwork on their end so now we're just playing the waiting game.