Disclaimer
Welcome to chapter three! I don't own anything Harry Potter.
Victoria gripped her daughter tightly, doing her best to hold back her tears. Biting her lip, she remembered when Cassia was still small. She'd been crawling across the living room floor never stopping to reach her mother. Even then, Victoria had known her daughter would achieve whatever she set her mind to. And now, she was moments from boarding the Hogwarts Express.
"Now." She started out. Pulling away, her hands rested on her daughter's forearms. "Whatever house you're in, make it the time of your life."
Cassia grinned, her eyes filled with all the love she felt for her mother and father. Her father moved forward to give her one final hug. "Knock 'em dead, sweetheart."
Cassia nodded. "Love you both." she replied.
With one final embrace from her doting mother, Cassia turned away from them both, heading straight for the train. Maneuvering around the crowd of families saying goodbye, a mother kissed her son's cheek, causing him to blush. "Good luck, Ron!" the woman said, as the boy walked away.
As Cassia finally made it through the sea of people, she hopped on the train step, gripping the rail, and turning to see her parents before waving one last time. With a quick scan she searched for Draco, but couldn't spot his indistinguishable white-blonde hair amongst the crowd. Stepping inside the train, she searched for the nearest empty compartment.
"Cassia!" she heard someone call from behind her. Quickly turning around, she spotted Harry Potter, who made his way toward her.
"Oh, hi Harry." Cassia smiled, pleased to see a familiar face.
"Have you found Draco?" He was looking or you." Harry asked.
"He was?" Cassia asked, surprised.
Harry grinned. "Well yeah." He replied. "Neither of us could see you on the platform so he asked me to help him find you once we picked a compartment. He wanted you to sit with us."
Cassia bit her lip, holding back the smile that would have lit up her entire face. It was a simple but kind gesture to prove he would have her back at Hogwarts, even if he hadn't said it.
"That is." Harry started out. "If you'd like to." His green eyes were full of kindness as he waited for her response. There was something deep within Harry that could be seen through those eyes that now stared her down, and despite their few times spent together, Cassia sensed within him was someone worth trusting.
"Definitely." Cassia answered.
"Great, follow me." Harry said, moving passed her before heading further down the train.
"That's Harry Potter." Someone whispered as the two of them passed.
Cassia knew Harry must have heard them as well, but he hadn't even flinched or looked back. He just kept walking with his head held high.
Even though Sirius had done his best to keep him from public eye, there were times when it had been unavoidable and in those cases, Sirius had always explained to remember who Harry truly was and not what they wanted him to be. Harry was Lily and James' son. He was a Potter. He was a boy who lived because of a mother's love, and he would honor that love by living happily. And above all things, Sirius told him to forget what the world thinks, because true confidence is what you think of yourself. It was because of this, that Harry walked down that hall unaffected by the whispers and stares of their Hogwarts peers. He didn't need their approval. He only needed his own.
Cassia smiled to herself in admiration. She too had never cared what mere strangers thought. The only opinions that mattered to her were those of true friends and family, and watching Harry walk confidently down that hall made her realize that eventually the two would become good friends.
When they'd finally reached the corridor Harry and Draco had obviously chosen, Harry slid open the door, causing Draco to look up.
"Was she lost?" Draco asked sarcastically. "I figured you weren't sure how to get on a train."
Harry let out a snort before attempting to cover his laughs with a cough.
Cassia scowled at him before sitting across from Draco. She rolled her eyes before finally speaking. "You're such a stu-"
"Stupid head?" Draco interrupted. "Yeah, I know." He finished with a smirk he seemed to save especially for her.
Cassia shook her head as the side of her lip began to curl up. She was used to Draco teasing her and had long ago decided that if he didn't do it all it was likely that he didn't like her, as Draco seemed to mess around with those closest to him.
Occasionally Cassia would fire back but often found it was better to remain silent. Draco could be relentless, and if she wasn't in the mood for a battle of wits, the effort was not worth it. With a sigh, she chose instead to spend the ride getting to know Harry a little better, and it wasn't long before the two of them were talking as if they were old friends.
Cassia could feel the rush of excitement flooding her veins. Her heart began to race as the names of each first year continued to be called.
One by one the children were placed in a House that was meant to represent who they are. Cassia only hoped she could now remain with her friends.
"Draco Malfoy." the woman, who had introduced herself as Professor Mcgonagall, called.
Draco swallowed as the people around him began to whisper. Most of their words he couldn't make out, but a red headed boy who had been standing amongst the first years had said, "He'll be a Slytherin for sure just like his no good father."
Draco flinched at the mention of Lucius Malfoy. Despite having never met the man, he seemed to follow him everywhere. To strangers, he was Draco's father. To Draco, Lucius was a mere vessel to his birth and had no other value. Like his mother warned him, though many had managed to let the past go, there would be those who would see Draco as nothing more than a future Death Eater.
"Slytherin my arse." Draco mumbled to himself quietly so no one would hear. He clenched his fists and boldly walked toward Minerva and the hat.
As he sat down, Minerva placed the hat on his head before it began to speak inside Draco's mind.
Well now... A great deal of determination, I see. A thirst to prove yourself and to be the best, and your loyalty seems unwavering.
"I'm not like my father." Draco whispered firmly, and he meant it. He would be the best, he thought, but it would never be at the cost of causing someone pain or heartache.
No, I would say you are not Which is why you belong in...
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat announced loudly so that every ear in the room could hear.
Draco's smile seemed to come from somewhere deep, as the table he was meant to join began to cheer wildly. There were some that seemed genuinely shocked, as if the hat had lost its senses, while others seemed pleased. Like Cassia, for instance. She clapped as madly as the Gryffindor table, and when their eyes met, her obvious pride had brought back the stampeding buffalo inside his stomach in full stride. Swallowing, Draco quickly looked away before making his way to join the other Gryffindors.
As the cheering began to subside, Minerva continued down the list. Placing some in Hufflepuff, another in Ravenclaw, and one very snobbish boy, who had bumped into the red head she'd seen at the station before saying "Move it, Weasley. " as he passed.
"Cassia Picquery!" Minerva called, causing Cassia's heart to skip a beat.
Biting her lip, she made her way toward the chair. Taking a deep breath, she released it slowly, trying to calm nerves.
When she'd sat down, and Minerva had dropped the hat on her head, she'd been surprised to discover the hat now speaking inside her head.
"Well now." The hate started out. "Very bright indeed. One of the best minds I have seen today. And honest you are, oh yes, I sense to the very end. You care very little for what others think. It's impressive for one so young. I sense you would do well in Ravenclaw, but your courage and determination are strong aren't they?"
The hat seemed to pause as if considering between two tough choices. Cassia looked toward Draco, and had hoped she could remain with friends, but knew that regardless of where she was placed, she wouldn't let it prevent her from spending time with them.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat yelled as Cassia's table now cheered for their newest member.
Draco smirked, watching Cassia pass as she joined her table. When their eyes met, he mouthed a congrats as she replied thanks. Hiding his disappointment he turned to face the people beside him, trying to make conversation. A part of him had hoped she'd be with him but he wouldn't let it show. No, that wasn't Draco at all...
Cassia smiled as a girl with frizzy hair instantly scooted to make room for her. "Here, you're welcome to sit next to me." She said kindly.
"Thanks." Cassia replied. "I'm Cassia Picquery."
"Hermione Granger." the girl replied. Her large chocolate eyes were warm and sincere as she continued to smile at Cassia.
"Your accent." Hermione started out. "You're american?"
Cassia nodded. "Grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Home of the best sweet iced tea and grits." Cassia replied proudly. As she'd said it, she seemed to allow her accent to become full on southern drawl before giggling.
Considering how much time she'd spent her life traveling(like New York where M.A.C.U.S.A headquarters was, L.A to visit M.A.C.U.S.A secondary location and western hub, or London to deal with British affairs) her accent wasn't as strong as one might assume. Some days it had felt as if the Picquery's lived out of suitcases more than at home but Cassa loved the travel and was used to it.
"Sorry I don't mean to sound rude but I read about Ilvermorny." Hermione started out. "So why not attend school there?"
It was right then when Harry's name was called, grabbing Cassia's attention. "Sorry, hold on that's my friend." Cassia explained. She couldn't wait to see where he'd be placed. The whole ceremony was exciting and she hoped that wherever Harry went, he'd be happy.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat announced loudly.
As the entire Gryffindor table erupted into applause, Hermione leaned toward Cassia so she could hear her. "You know Harry Potter?" She asked, fascinated.
Cassia nodded, watching as Harry took a seat next to Draco. "Not extremely well, but yeah."
"What's he like?" Hermione asked. She'd read so much about the young wizard and knew just how important he was, she couldn't help but be curious.
"Kind." Cassia replied with a smile.
Hermione smirked. Cassia was not like some of the first students she'd encountered. They had asked her if she was pureblood or at least halfblood and if not to close the compartment and sit elsewhere. She'd been so hurt Hermione couldn't even respond. She simply slid the door closed and did her best to find one that was empty.
Hermione's fear of rejection from the wizarding world had grown significantly in that moment. She'd already felt behind when she first got her letter, but that encounter only added fuel to the flames. When she was placed in Ravenclaw, she'd avoided eye contact and didn't make a sound. But when Cassia had been placed, Hermione's instincts told her she'd be different. And it was clear, even in the short time the two girls had spoken, that Hermione was right.
After everyone was placed, the announcements by the Headmaster had been made, and Cassia had enjoyed a buffet for dinner, the first year Ravenclaws followed their prefect toward their dormitories and common room.
Hermione had been quite the chatterbox on their way. Telling Cassia all sorts of facts regarding Hogwarts, some of which Cassia had already known(and upon stating that Cassia had read some of Hogwarts A History as well, it seemed to open a floodgate of excitement. As if discovering that Cassia enjoyed studying and reading was like discovering your home for the first time for Hermione.). "We will get wonderful scores on our tests!" Hermione had said excitedly. "We could study together and practice spells during all our spare time!"
At this point Hermione's voice had seemed to go up a full octave, causing Cassa to snicker. "Woah their, Cowgirl. Hold your horses." Cassia said with a grin. Her accent had come out in full Atlanta-swing as it always did when she'd say something that sounded truly southern. "How about we study eighty percent of our spare time? She negotiated. "I'm eleven. I need my fun time."
Hermione seemed to contemplate this, blinking a few times as if surprised Cassia had said eighty percent and not at least ninety-nine. "Well." Hermione started out. "I suppose that would do."
Cassia let out a bark of a laugh, causing even the prefect to look back for a moment. No one, however, had given her strange looks. It was as if these Ravenclaws were used to unique souls. Like the more she was herself without worry, the more she seemed to fit right in.
"This is the western part of the castle." Robert Hilliard(as he'd introduced himself) had said. "And just up ahead is the entrance to our common room."
Robert was a tall and confident young man, Cassia observed. He was at least six foot, with dark hair and striking blue eyes. Smiling back at the first years, he looked at each of them before speaking. "Anyone up for trying to get in?" He'd asked with a smirk.
Cassia looked at the other first years who were now doing the same; each of their eyes shifting toward one another until Cassia's hand was the first to fly up.
"I will." she said boldly, causing Robert's eyebrows to perk up.
"Have a go." He replied, gesturing Cassia to move forward toward the large door. "Just take hold of the knocker and, well knock." He smiled. "It will do the rest."
"Okay." Cassia said, quickly moving in front of the door. The bronze knocker was beautiful and shaped into an eagle. It was heavier than Cassia had expected as she knocked twice against the door.
To her surprise, The knocker began . "What goes around and around the wood but never goes into the wood?" it asked.
Cassia bit her lip, holding back the smile. It had asked a riddle, and one she'd already heard from her father. Knowing the answer made her feel as if she were cheating, but Cassia hadn't known she'd be asked a riddle and certainly not one she'd been familiar with.
She could hear some of the older students whispering behind her, as if they had figured it out. Deciding she'd been at no fault, she tapped her chin as if contemplating the riddle for a few seconds before speaking. "The bark on a tree?" She answered.
Immediately the door swung open. Causing the murmurs from behind to grow louder. "You really do belong here." Robert had said with a side grin. Cassia couldn't help but blush. He was, afteral, an attractive older boy who had given her a compliment.
It had been several weeks since Cassia had started at Hogwarts. She'd grown very close to Hermione and had even introduced her to Harry and Draco. Though Cassia couldn't spend as much time with Draco and Harry as she liked, the four would often meet in the library to study(which meant Hermione and Cassia would study while Draco and Harry mostly goofed around) or would spend time in the Viaduct courtyard for a game of Gobstone or to chat.
Of course there were those who thought Ravenclaws and Gryffindors shouldn't be spending so much time together, but Harry and Draco hardly listened to anyone while Cassia could care less what anyone thought. Hermione on the other hand was affected by their words but knew that her true friends meant so much more than anyone else's opinion.
"Have your heard?" Hermione said, excitedly. She'd found Cassia reading in the courtyard before running to her to share the news.
"Heard what?" Cassia asked, glancing above her book.
"Harry's the new Gryffindor Seeker!" Hermione cheered. "A first year hasn't been seeker in over a century!"
"Impressive." Cassia said, with a grin.
It was right then that Draco and Harry made their way toward the two girls laughing about something.
"Harry congratulations!" Hermione smiled.
With a lopsided grin, Harry's hand went through his hair. "Thanks, Hermione."
"Lucky prat." Draco said playfully. He was definitely happy for his friend, but only hoped he could play on the team soon as well.
"How did ya' even get on?" Cassia asked. "They haven't had a try out yet, have they?"
Harry and Draco glanced at each other; their eyes both dancing with mischief.
Narrowing her eyes with a smirk, Cassia crossed her arms. "What did you two do?"
Harry shrugged. "Draco dared me to fly at full speed toward one of the castle towers, seeing how close I could get without crashing."
"Or dying." Hermione added, making no attempt to hide her disapproval for their antics.
"Merlin's beard, Granger. Draco rolled his eyes. "No one was going to die."
Harry snickered before speaking. "Well, Professor Mcgonagall saw the whole thing. I actually thought when she came to get me I was going to lose points for Gryffindor, or worse, she was going to take my broom." He shrugged with a smug expression. "Instead she introduced me to Oliver Wood."
"If it isn't spineless Malfoy and mudblood Granger." Harvey Bulstrode shouted, as he made his way toward the four friends. He was a second year and older brother to Millicent- who was a first year. With him were his everyday followers Graham Montague, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle. All Slytherin and all complete jerks in Cassia's eyes.
"Shut it, you ugly pig." Cassia snapped. She couldn't stand Harvey on the best of days, but his insults were getting old. Drawing her wand, she pointed it at his face threateningly.
This caused both Vincent and Gregory to reach for their wands, but Draco had much faster reflexes, and he wasn't about to let two bloody idiots point their wands at Cassia Picquery.
"Try it and find yourselves in the hospital wing for a month." Something in Draco's tone caused them both to hesitate before someone began to speak, catching each of their attentions.
"Miss Picquery. Mr. Malfoy." Severus Snape said from behind them. He'd witnessed everything from the beginning. It had been quite a sight to see a Malfoy become so close to a half blood, a muggle born, and a blood traitor(he had never cared for titles but it was what others had said). He had known Lucius for many years and it was clear that Draco had become something far different from his father.
Cassia jolted around, as did the others. "Professor." She started out.
"I suggest you put your wands away."
Snape spoke with so much authority and intimidation; each word drawn out as if to be sure you were listening intently. "But, if you both so feel the urge to hex fellow students, by all means." He paused, giving Draco and Cassia a hard long look. "I would be than happy to supply you with no less than- two weeks detention."
The both of them put away their wands immediately. Knowing fully well Snape meant every word. He was a hard teacher and often came off rather cold.
However, he did tolerate both Malfoy and Cassia who were doing excellently in his potions class and never spoke out of turn.
Neither Draco's mom or Cassia's parents would have tolerated disrespect in a classroom, and despite how much fun Draco had when Harry and himself would goof around, his mother was one of the few people he fully respected and listened to. He knew if she received one letter of misbehavior from his professors, there would be hell to pay(daring Harry to fly his broom during lessons didn't count. Their instructor had walked away to assist a fellow gryffindor who had gotten injured, and they weren't technically inside a classroom).
"Ten points from Gryffindor." Snape started out. "And Ravenclaw as well."
Harvey and his friends looked as if they'd won before Severus continued. "Ten points for Slytherin. For choosing to start this- pleasant confrontation in the first place." With that, the Professor turned on his heel and swiftly walked away.
Harvey glared at each of them before gesturing to his friends. "Come on. Let's get out of here before we catch a disease or something." His comment caused one of his friends to snicker as they all walked away.
When they were finally out if earshot, Harry shrugged with a playful smirk. "They can't help it." He started out. "They were dropped as infants and their brains stopped working years ago."
They all laughed at this before walking back toward the castle. Each of them thinking how lucky they were. For they all knew they would have each other's backs no matter what came their way.
As the four said their goodbyes, Harry and Draco made their way back toward the Gryffindor common room, distracted in their conversation regarding quidditch, when the staircase began to shift away from where they needed to be.
"Oh great." Draco said, sarcastically. "Where are we going now?"
Harry looked around, a little annoyed that he'd allowed himself to become so distracted."Might as well go this way. Before we go 'round in circles like two idiots."
Draco nodded as the two boys quickly stepped off the stairs and began to walk down the hall, before stopping at a large door. Glancing at one another, the two shrugged as if to say why not, before opening it and going inside.
The room was dark, as an eerie feeling seemed to fall over them both. "I think." Harry started out, sounding concerned. "We aren't supposed to be here."
"I know we aren't." Draco replied. "This is the third floor. It's forbidden."
Before either of them could react, a flame lit atop a tall stone support, as the caretaker's cat stepped into the room behind them with a loud meow.
"Filch's bloody cat!" Draco whispered. "Run!" He commanded before the two took off in a sprint, away from the cat.
With every tall stone they passed, another flame was lit, before the two reached another door.
Harry reached for the handle, realizing the door wouldn't budge. "Wouldn't happen to remember an unlocking spell would you?" Harry asked, annoyed he hadn't listened to Cassia and Hermione a little more during their studies in the library. He had the habit of learning just enough to ensure he passed his classes.
Pulling out his wand, Draco stood directly in front of the lock. "You can thank Cassia later. If she hadn't practiced the bloody spell a thousand times, I wouldn't!" With his wand outstretched, Draco began to speak.
"Alohomora." As the words left his mouth, the door unlocked before the boys jolted inside.
With their eyes on the door, the pair could hear Filch from the other side, as he checked to see if anyone was in the hall. Draco and Harry remained silent, holding their breath in an attempt to make absolutely no noise.
As Filch's steps had began to sound further and further away, Harry slowly turned around, with Draco's eyes still on the door.
"He left " Draco said with a sigh. "He must know the door was kept locked and didn't think anyone could get in."
"Yeah." Harry started out. "It had a good reason to be locked."
Draco's brows scrunched together as he noticed Harry's shaky voice. Turning to see what had gotten his friend's attention, Draco's eyes bulged at the sight of a massive three headed dog that began to rise to its' feet
All six eyes were on the boys, as it began to growl and snarl while rising to its' feet causing Draco and Harry to scream, reaching for the door to escape its' massive teeth.
Prying it open, the two bolted out, practically stumbling to the floor as the ferocious beast snapped at them both. The two pushed the door shut just before the dog could bash its way through.
Racing down the hall, their path was lit along the way as they headed straight for the stairs. Neither of them stopped running until they reached the portrait of the fat lady, quickly giving the password and rushing into the Gryffindor common room.
"Are they out of their minds?" Draco yells. "Who keeps something like that inside a school?"
"I-I don't know." Harry said still a little jolted. "But I think it was standing on a trap door. I noticed it when it began to stand up."
"A trap door?" Draco said confused. His breathing was still heavy, causing his chest to rise and fall. "What idiot would put that above a door?"
Harry pulled out a small mirror from his pocket before shaking his head. "Beats me, but I think if we ask our genius friends they might have an answer."
Growing up, Harry had been given his father's old two way mirror while Sirius kept the other. They would often play imaginary games with them or keep in touch if Sirius had business to attend to while Harry would remain at home.
Once he left for Hogwarts, Sirius got him a second set, so he could keep in touch with his friends if they had not remained in the same house together( Sirius didn't think Draco was like his father but wondered if the boy would still be placed in Slytherin while he was certain Harry would be in Gryffindor).
When Draco and Harry had both been placed in Gryffindor, they'd decided they would give the other mirror to Cassia and Hermione, who they would often ask for help when neither of them knew the answer on an assignment.
"Hey." Harry whispered into the mirror. "Can either of you hear me?"
Hermione and Cassia had been sitting on the large blue couch, working on a transfiguration assignment, when the mirror in Cassia's pocket caugh their attention.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione smirked. "I wonder if they can't figure out how to conjure a proper blu bell flame." Hermione snickered as she spoke.
Cassia smiled with a shrug, pulling out the mirror she raised a brow upon noticing Harry's concerned expression. "Harry, what is it?" She asked worriedly, trying to keep her voice down as Hermione immediately moved to sit close to Cassia. There were others in the common room, but not close enough to notice if they remained quiet.
"We uh- found something on the third floor." Harry whispered.
Hermione sighed heavily. "What were you doing there, it's forbidden."
Harry shook his head impatiently. "Kind of beside the point, 'Mione." He started out. "And we didn't go there on purpose, the staircase changed on us."
"Yeah." Draco started out, leaning in to show his face in the mirror. "We had to hide when Filch was about to catch us. Which is when we saw it."
There was a look of surprise in his eyes that Cassia immediately noticed.
"Saw what?" She asked.
"A bloody three headed dog, that's what." Draco said, his whisper sounding more aggressive.
"What?" The girls replied in unison.
"Are you serious?" Hermione asked. The two boys nodded fiercely. "What is that doing inside the castle?"
"That's what I said." Draco announced with his hand on his chest.
"It was behind a locked door." Harry said, causing Cassia to smirk.
"You were paying attention." She smiled remembering the day in the library where she'd been practicing the spell.
Harry smirked. "Actually it was Draco that had remembered. But that's when we found the killer dog. And- it was standing above a trap door."
"Who would be stupid enough to try to get down their?" Draco added.
Hermione glanced at Cassia surprised at what the boys found before speaking. "It's obvious, isn't it?" she said.
"What's obvious?" Harry asked.
"That's the point." Cassia cut in. "Whatever was down there, they must not want people to get to it."
"Exactly." Hermione said matter of factly. "The dog is guarding something."
A/N:
Thanks for reading this chapter! As always, I hope you enjoyed it! As much as I love the first and second year at Hogwarts, I wont be spending too much time in either, so you'll notice a lot of fast forwarding in the next few chapters. That doesn't mean I wont put my own twist and turns into each year as there will be obvious differences considering how much is different already, but I have a lot of story to tell and find that the biggest differences will begin in their third year(considering Sirius is not in Azkaban... but trust me I've got third year all laid out!).. If any of you are curious if Ron will play a role in my story, he does. It wont be significant, and I have no intention of bashing him, but like other characters he just wont be as prevalent as my other characters. Again, thanks for checking this story out! Leave a review if you like!