Chapter 3

On the next day, everyone noticed Cassandra's new hair. Some glanced at her, some remarked kindly and some had a hard time recognizing her.

"Much better than the braid." Sirius complimented her during Potions. Cassandra meekly smiled at him and continued to enjoy the sudden attention. On that same day, Alice, Lily and Cassandra met after dinner.

Alice introduced an antidote for spots. "You have to smear this ointment on your face every night, and I promise the effects are permanent. You'll see results by next week." Cassandra was immensely grateful for Lily and Alice, for their guidance and support.

During the following week, everyone adjusted to their schedules. Cassandra applied the ointment every day and noticed a change for the better. She was thrilled. But someone else wasn't feeling too happy: James Potter. He wasn't close to getting used to the new couple: Alec and Lily. After a secret first date, they were officially going out. James promised not to interfere or sabotage their relationship and was determined to stick to his word. On the outside, James was keeping a straight face, but inside, he was devastated. 'What does he have, that I don't? Maturity, she said? Well, I'm going to prove her wrong.', he thought to himself while gazing at her during one of their classes. This year was his last chance to prove himself to her.

The whole seventh year students couldn't wait for their first trip to Hogsmeade. However, several rules were established such as: curfew was 6:00 p.m., no drinking or smoking. If the Heads, Filch or any of the staff members caught students violating the rules, punishment was to be expected.

Cassandra grew to love her hair and spotless face. She loved looking at the mirror at times, not that she was vain. Her fellow classmates seemed to detect a change in her body language and confidence.

On Friday, after lessons finished, Lily and Cassandra went to cool their feet in the lake.

"She looks different." Sirius watched her by the lake. Remus peered over his book to look at whom Sirius meant.

"Yes, she does. Cassandra's very nice once you get to know her." Remus said this before he continued reading.

"How do you know that?"

"Well, I spent some time with her at the library this week. We discuss different topics." Remus closed his book. He knew Sirius wouldn't let him read in peace. James was watching Lily laughing with her best friend. That changed when suddenly Lily slipped and fell in the water.

Cassandra panicked and shouted "Lily!"

James quickly ran to their direction and jumped in the water. He scooped Lily in his strong arms and placed her gently on the grass.

"Oh Lily, are you alright? Thank you so much, James." Cassandra said. Lily shivered and James took off his warm cloak and engulfed Lily with it. Lily noticed a tuft of chest hair peeking from James's buttoned up shirt. Her eyes observed James's tanned arms and muscles under his shirt. Cassandra knew Lily was studying him.

"My ankle hurts." Lily managed to say. James inspected her ankle, as Sirius, Peter and Remus joined them.

"Wormy, get some ice from the kitchens." James addressed Peter. Peter rushed as quickly as his pudgy figure could take him.

James whispered a spell to ease the pain and Peter rushed with a small bag of ice. James placed the bag gently on Lily's ankle. She winced a bit in reaction to the cold bag.

"Where's Alec? If I were him, I'd never leave your side." James said quietly to her.

"He has additional classes. I know you wouldn't, you're a good friend. Thank you, James." Lily smiled at James for the first time. Their friends knew this was a turning point. James smiled back at her.

"We've got to take her to Pomfrey, James." Remus said. James nodded. Sirius and James helped Lily up, and Cassandra grabbed her shoes and socks.

Madam Pomfrey let Lily go after an hour of treatment. She had a sprained ankle, which Pomfrey took care of. Alec came rushing to the common room and saw her on a sofa.

"I'm so sorry, love. I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright?" Alec asked worriedly.

"Yes, it was just a sprained ankle." Lily kissed him.

"I should've been there." He said, regretful.

"It's okay, don't worry. You had to attend those classes. And besides, James took care of me."

"Your boyfriend should do that." Alec frowned. Lily sighed.

"Hey, man, she said 'don't worry'. I happened to be around and got her to safety. Relax." James interjected.

Alec was frustrated. His bright hazel eyes darkened at James. "I'll be in my room if you need me. I'll let you rest." He said to Lily and went up to his room before Lily had a chance to say anything.

"Why did you have to interfere? Alec and I were talking." Lily asked, annoyed.

"He wasn't listening to you. You always whine about wanting someone to listen to you. I, on the other hand, was listening." James felt proud about that.

"I don't whine!"

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't! Cass, do I whine?" Lily asked her.

"I'm staying out of this, Lils." Cassandra held her hands up as in defeat.

"Merlin, you fight like a married couple…" Sirius grumbled at James and Lily. He was busy flirting with an attractive sixth year. He heard their bickering and stopped the conversation.

"Sorry, mate! It's not my fault!" James apologized as Sirius resumed to his business. Lily glared at James.

"Are you okay to go tomorrow?" Cassandra asked her, changing the subject.

Lily nodded. "I'm fine. Alec and I have plans. I know Alice wants to take you shopping."

Cassandra had mixed emotions about tomorrow. She felt happy to shop for nicer clothes and finally get rid of the glasses. Also, she felt scared about the whole process of transformation. In general, she couldn't wait.

II

Cassandra woke up early and opened the curtains. Lily moaned and opened her eyes.

"You do realize we leave at 10?" Lily groaned. Cassandra nodded and pulled out her favorite jeans and a long black shirt.

"It's 7:30. When do you want me to wake you?" Cassandra asked.

"8:30, please."

"No problem."

"Thanks. You're the best." Lily fell fast asleep. Cassandra got dressed, brushed her teeth, washed her face and went downstairs to the common room. To her surprise, Sirius was there talking to a member of the Quidditch team. She knew he loved his sleep. He finished the conversation as soon as he spotted her. She thought he looked very handsome today, but would never dare say that to him.

"Good morning, Cassandra. How are you?" He smiled warmly at her and sat next to her by the fireplace.

"I'm alright, thanks. You?"

"I'm doing great. I must say you look nice today." He paid attention to the changes she underwent this passing week.

"Thank you. See? You can make conversation with a girl without sexual innuendos." She teased him. He chuckled at her comment.

"Want to join me for breakfast?" He offered.

"Sure. I'm starving!" She flashed a smile at him. He felt an inexplicable surge of happiness. 'She has a great smile', He thought to himself while they walked together to the dining hall. As they took their seats, they took food from the larger plates and began eating.

Sirius swallowed his first bit and asked "What's your favorite subject?"

Cassandra chuckled at his random question and answered "Potions. Yours?"

"Defense against the Dark Arts, definitely. I want to be an Auror." Sirius took another bite from his breakfast after answering.

"I don't know what I want to be. I know that I want a family." Cassandra said the last part quietly. Sirius looked at her in confusion - Was there something wrong?

"You say that in such sadness. How come?" He asked her.

She didn't believe he would pick up on that. Something in his eyes made her trust him. "My parents are pureblood; not that they hate muggleborns. My mother is a true saint: always helps and supports my brother and I. However, my father is a different story. He likes drinks more than he loves us." Cassandra felt more upset talking about him. Sirius felt a tug on his heartstrings. He felt he could sympathize with her.

"I'm so sorry, Cassandra. Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it's difficult to talk about family." Sirius cooed.

"How would you know?" Cassandra felt her eyes water.

"My parents, as opposed to yours, despise muggles and everyone who associates with them. Last year, things got nasty at home so I ran away and lived with the Potters. I vowed never to return. My brother Regulus is the apple of my parents' eyes and I'm considered scum only because I have different opinions." Sirius shared openly.

"My father thinks I'm scum. He treats us horribly at home." Cassandra blinked away a few tears. She rolled up her left sleeve to reveal two bruises.

"Son of a…He did this to you?" Sirius asked, anger building slowly in his voice. She nodded and rolled back her sleeve.

Sirius scooted closer to her and opened his arms wide, conveying an embrace. Cassandra took the indirect offer and surrendered to his warm hug. This time she wasn't afraid of crying in front of him.

II

Lily woke up at 8:15 on her own. She got ready for the trip and went to the dining hall. What she saw at the Gryffindor table surprised her: Cassandra smiling warmly at Sirius, Sirius making her giggle. Her best friend was coming out of her shell. James, who sat opposed to them, was deep in conversation with a female member of the Quidditch team. This captured Lily's attention. 'What could they possibly talk about, besides Quidditch?', she pondered before joining the table.

"Good morning love!" Alec greeted her with a warm hug.

She parted from the embrace and whispered "What happened to you last night? You didn't even say 'good night' to me."

"I thought you wanted some time alone. I'm sorry for being an arse. I should've checked up on you instead of cowering away. I'll make it up to you today, I promise." Alec's wide smile melted Lily's cold stare.

"You'd better. I was upset and worried." Lily said truthfully. She had a hard time sleeping last night since she was worried about him. Alec hugged her before they sat next to each other and ate.

III

Hogsmeade is a small village which most of the students loved. The seventh year students left for their first trip of the year. Lily and Alec had their own romantic plans for the day, and Alice and Cassandra went shopping. They entered a shop which sold glasses and offered eye-repairing potions. The clerk knew Alice and her family, so Cassandra received a quick and efficient service. He offered her a draught to drink at the shop.

"After you drink this, you must wear these sunglasses for the whole day. Sleep well and tomorrow you will see the result. If you can, try to close your eyes once in a while." He explained carefully.

"Do you want me to take you straight to our room afterwards? I figure maybe you don't want people wondering about it." Alice offered to Cassandra.

"Well, what about dinner?"

"I'll take you back to our room and fix you a plate, how's that?" Alice replied.

"I hope it's not too much trouble." Cassandra politely replied.

"Not at all." Alice insisted.

"Thanks, Alice, for everything." Cassandra and Alice hugged. The clerk gave Cassandra the potion and ordered her to sit for ten minutes.

"You'll feel a stinging sensation at first." He told her. Cassandra drank the draught and did as she was told. Her eyes stung for a bit and had a mild headache. The clerk placed the sunglasses on her eyes. Then, Alice took out money from Cassandra's purse and handed it to the clerk. Afterwards, Alice helped Cassandra out from the shop and back to the streets of Hogsmeade. Cassandra opened her eyes once a few minutes so she could identify her whereabouts. Frank joined them and asked what happened. Alice filled him in and they sat at the Three Broomsticks.

"Hey, lovebirds, all right?" James noticed Alice and Frank. The marauders were sitting at the bar, and Alice, Frank and Cassandra sat a table not far away. Remus and James joined them.

"Yeah, you?" Frank greeted them. James shook hands with Frank.

"What happened?" Remus asked Cassandra as he grabbed his pint of butterbeer.

"She's merely had a cosmetic procedure done. She'll be alright by tomorrow." Alice spoke up for Cassandra, who was grateful for that.

"How do you feel, Cassandra?" James asked.

Cassandra felt flushed. She, along with most of the female population, believed that Remus, James and Sirius were very attractive.

"It hurts a bit, but it's temporary. Thank you, James." Cassandra smiled. She heard and managed to see Lily and Alec join them. Lily asked Cassandra if she needed anything. Cassandra shook her head and felt tension in the air. She knew James wasn't happy about Lily and Alec joining the table.

"Where's Sirius?" Alec asked.

"Chatting up some Ravenclaw. I guess he had enough of Gryffindors this week." James grinned cockily as he intentionally ruffled his hair. Lily sighed; she hated when he did that. Alec went to Rosmerta to buy him and Lily butterbeer. A few minutes later, he came back with two pints and took his seat next to Lily.

"Just so you know, Evans, things won't get awkward. We said we'd be civil." James said out of the blue.

"Call me Lily. I know that, or else we'll have a problem." Lily said calmly. James couldn't be happier with the way things were going.

Alice and Cassandra were talking about a spell which whitens teeth. Alice conjured the spell on Cassandra when they were at the shop. Cassandra wasn't afraid anymore to show her pearly whites.

"Whoa there, Ray Charles!" Cassandra heard Sirius's comment as he joined them.

"Who's Ray Charles?" Frank asked, curious and confused.

"A famous muggle singer. He wears sunglasses constantly and has a wide white smile." Sirius explained. Cassandra chuckled at the comparison.

"Before you ask, she's alright, Sirius." Alice hurried to say.

"You went to the eye-shop, huh?" Sirius got the notion. Cassandra nodded.

"So you wouldn't be able to see me mooning you, right?" He teased her as she tried to hit him in reaction to his silly question. She almost spilled Remus's pint, but luckily she didn't.

"Relax, woman! He obviously isn't mooning you!" James exclaimed, protecting his pint of butterbeer. Lily was laughing at James's outburst. Alec didn't understand what was so funny. He stared at her in perplexity. Deep down, Alec was getting slightly jealous of James but he wouldn't dare share that with anyone.

They spent another hour together and parted ways. The Marauders went to Zonko's joke shop, Alice and Frank went back to the school. Alec left Lily to hang out with some of his friends in Ravenclaw. Lily helped Cassandra around while they went shopping. Lily noticed Cassandra's exhaustion and suggested they head back to the castle. As much as Cassandra loved Hogsmeade, she grew tired. They went back to the school and rested in the common room. When it was time, they had dinner with the rest of the students.

Lily, Remus and Frank spent the rest of the evening doing homework. James and Sirius were in their room. Peter was nowhere to be seen for quite some time. Alice and Cassandra were chatting in front of the fireplace.

'This was a good day, and tomorrow will be better', Cassandra thought happily.