Chapter 42 A New Plan

Nobody at Hogwarts knew the truth of what happened. Except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and me. I was eating breakfast and listening to Draco outrage about Buckbeak. He swore that Hagrid had found a way to smuggle Buckbeak to safety.

Percy wouldn't shut up about Sirius's escape. He was a few seats away from, but close enough to make sure I could hear what he was saying.

"If I managed to get into the Ministry, I'll have a lot of proposals to make about Magical Law Enforcement!"

But the only person who would listen was his girlfriend. Penelope Clearwater.

I was surprised when Barnabas and Hedwig flew down together. My owl had a small letter in his beak. I gave him a kiss on his head and opened the letter.

'Miss Zwart,

Please come to my office after breakfast. I have some news for you about where you will be staying for the summer holidays.

Professor M. McGonagall'

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"McGonagall, she knows where I'll be staying for the summer." I answered, folding up the letter and waving it to acknowledge I read it.

McGonagall gave me a nod and turned to Dumbledore.

I was seated in front of Dumbledore, who was sitting in McGonagall's chair. McGonagall was standing behind Dumbledore's right shoulder. Narcissa was sitting next to me, Mr. Malfoy just behind her, and Fudge was standing to the left of Dumbledore, next to Narcissa. And Charlotte was there, she had tears in her eyes.

"I'm going WHERE?!" I asked.

"To Malfoy Manor, permanently." Narcissa answered patiently.

"You want to adopt me?" I asked.

"Yes." She nodded deeply.

I sat there, unsure of how to react to this.

"Are you sure?" I asked Narcissa.

I knew she was looking forward to having a daughter figure, but I was not going to be able to act like the perfect Malfoy Woman. At least, I didn't think I could be.

Charlotte had tears in her eyes, but she was always sad when a child left the home. Fudge was looking tired, he was still dealing with the repercussions of Sirius escaping again, and having to tell the Prophet that I was not in contact with Sirius Black and all of that political paperwork.

I couldn't read Dumbledore's or McGonagall's faces.

"The only thing that's left to do is to sign the adoption papers." Charlotte kept her voice quiet, not wanting it to crack.

The papers were sitting on the desk, waiting for Charlotte to sign, and one of the other adults here to sign it as a witness.

"Okay." I nodded.

"That settles it!" Fudge took the quill and held it out for Charlotte.

She hesitated before looking at me again.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes, Charlotte." I nodded again.

She then signed the papers, and handed the quill back to Fudge, who signed where his signature needed to be.

"Congratulations!" Fudge said, shaking hands with Mr. Malfoy and handing the paper to him.

Narcissa stood up and gave me a stiff hug, I gladly accepted it. Charlotte gave me a hug as well and let out a quiet sob.

"Thank you for taking care of me for so many years." I whispered in her ear.

She nodded and left the room. Not looking backwards.

"Welcome to the family, Cassiopeia." Mr. Malfoy gave me a bow.

"Just Cassie, please. Cassiopeia is a mouthful." I smiled up at him.

His lips twitched but they didn't meet his eyes.

"One last thing is needed, I believe." Dumbledore held up a finger and pulled open a drawer in McGonagall's desk.

He pulled out a piece of paper.

"Cassie should have her current guardian sign this permission form so that she can go and visit Hogsmeade with her friends." Dumbledore pushed the paper and quill across the desk.

"Of course!" Narcissa said.

She signed her signature once more, and handed the slip to McGonagall.

"Thank you, Narcissa." McGonagall kept her voice professional.

"You're welcome, Professor." Narcissa nodded.

Mr. Malfoy, Narcissa, Dumbledore, and I walked to the entrance hall together.

"We will see you on the platform to take you home," Narcissa was explaining to me as Dumbledore and I escorted the Malfoy's to their carriage that was to take them to Hogsmeade so that they can Apparate back home.

"Thank you." I couldn't stop ginning.

Even though my dad was out there, and I was weary about living with the Malfoys…

I was finally adopted.

I didn't process what I had seen, but there were two strange creatures pulling the carriage. I think I hoped it was my imagination.

My friends had mixed feelings about my news. They were happy I was adopted, but they weren't sure how to feel about me being adopted by the Mafloy's.

I didn't blame them. I was conflicted about it too.

"What about them trying to use your Seer abilities?" Hermione was whispering as we were riding the train away from Hogwarts.

"I'll hope for the best. They won't want to exploit them." I answered.

She rolled her eyes at that.

"I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast. I've decided to drop Muggle Studies." Hermione informed us.

"But you passed your exam with a three hundred and twenty percent!" Ron exclaimed.

"I know," Hermione sighed. "But I can't stand another year like this one. That Time-Turner, it was driving me mad. I've handed it in. Without Muggle Studies and Divination, I'll be able to have a normal schedule again."

"I still can't believe you didn't tell us about it," Ron said grumpily. "We're supposed to be your friends."

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone," Hermione said severely.

"She didn't even fully tell me, I just guessed." I interjected.

"And you!" Ron pointed an accusatory finger at me. "You have Seer blood and didn't tell us until you went into a trance! Why didn't you tell us before!"

Ron and I started to bicker about how he wouldn't have asked for homework answers and me rolling my eyes and telling him I know he was going to ask for answers next year. Luckily Harry pulled us out with a game of Exploding Snap.

It was late afternoon when Hermione said something that wasn't about the game.

"Harry, what's that thing outside your window?" Hermione pointed at this small gray thing bobbing in and out of sight.

Harry stood up and opened the window, stretched out his hand and caught the little thing.

It was a small owl. It dropped it's letter in Harry's seat and started zooming around, causing Hedwig and Barnabas to click their beaks with disapproval.

"Awwe!" I cooed at the little thing.

Crookshanks and Ariel both sat up from their cuddle puddle and were following the owl with their eyes. Ron noticed it and caught the owl from the air.

"It's from Sirius!" Harry shouted after opening up the letter.

"What does it say?" I asked excitedly.

'Dear Harry,

I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't tell you where in case this owl falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about his reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job.

I believe the dementors are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope in finding me here. I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted.

There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you and Cassie the Firebolt's -

"Ha!" Hermione interrupted triumphantly. "See! I told you it was from Sirius!"

"Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" Ron rolled his eyes.

"Ouch!" He hissed.

The gray owl had nibbled on Ron's thumb trying to be affectionate but not knowing how sharp his beak was.

'Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name's but told them to take the gold from my own vault. Please consider it as thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather and father.

I would also like to apologize for the fright I think I gave you that night last year when you left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you.

I am enclosing something else for you and Cassie, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable.

If ever you need me, send word. Your owl will find me.

I'll write again soon.

Sirius'

Harry looked eagerly in the envelope. He pulled out two more pieces of parchment and handed me the one with my name on it.

'I, Sirius Black, Cassiopeia Zwart's father, hereby give her permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends.'

I let out a laugh as did Harry.

"That'll be good enough for Dumbledore!" Harry said.

"If the Malfoy's revoke their permission, I'll just use Sirius's instead." I said.

"Hang on there's a P.S…"

'I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.'

"Keep him?" Ron's eyes widened in surprise.

He looked closely at the owl before letting Crookshanks and Ariel sniff him in turn.

"What d'you reckon? Definitely an owl?" Ron asked the cats.

Both let out deep purrs.

"That's good enough for me." Ron gave a nod, "he's mine."

We reached the platform to get back into London. I was pleasantly surprised to see Gregory come and help me take my luggage off the train.

"Thank you, Gregory." I smiled at him.

He made a noise in his throat, returning the scowls the Weasley's were giving him.

"I've got to go, I'll write to keep in touch!" I hugged and placed a kiss on Ron's and Harry's cheeks.

Hermione and I shared a hug and Gregory walked with me where the Malfoy's stood.

"Hello Cassie!" Narcissa kept her voice even, but I could see that she was a little excited.

"Hello Narcissa." I smiled back at her.

"Thank you, Gregory, for bringing her luggage to us." Mr. Malfoy thanked Draco's friend.

He gave Mr. Malfoy a nod before walking over to his parents and Apparating away.

"Come along dear." Narcissa put my hand in the crook of her elbow.

We Apparated into the foyer of their Manor.

"Cassie, I must ask. Did you know about your Black heritage?" Mr. Malfoy asked just as I was about to take my things into my room.

"Not until my second year, why do you ask, sir?" I answered.

"I thought you would have known, since Zwart is Dutch for Black."

The End.

HERE WE ARE! I WILL ADMIT I AM A LITTLE SAD!

I am working on the next book already, and I will more than likely post in three to four months. THREE TO FOUR MONTHS! I need time to get ahead of the game and to take a step back so that I don't get burnt out on writing this story (I've come close several times) and I don't want to stop writing because I enjoy it and I enjoy your feedback!

Also! My boyfriend and I are looking to buy a house and so I will be in the process of packing up our things whole he goes back to work. If things work out that is..

Catch Cassie and her new living arrangements in

The Treasured Goblet of Fire !

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