Chapter 6

I

Cassandra, Lily and Alice visited Sirius in the evening. Cassandra came with a box of chocolates as a token of her gratitude.

"Thank you again." She said softly to him.

"You're welcome, the prat deserved it. Pomfrey said I can go." He said. They waited for Sirius and along with him, walked together back to the common room. Remus and Cassandra helped Sirius with what he missed in today's classes. Alec was in the common room as well, but he and Lily aren't on speaking terms.

Out of the blue, James walked over to Alec and said "You made the biggest mistake of your life, breaking up with Lily. She's incredible and you won't find another girl like her."

Lily approached James and pulled him away, back to where they were sitting.

"James, that was very sweet but we both decided to break it off. We wanted different things." Lily couldn't have said it better.

"I know. I just had to tell him, that's all. So, you thought that was sweet?" James asked and grinned.

Lily shook her head in disbelief and mumbled "I shouldn't have inflated your already huge ego."

James chuckled. He checked the clock nearby the portrait door and knew it was time for the meeting.

"Lily, we have to go." He told her. She nodded and they got up to leave for the meeting. She appreciated his swift change of character: from being immature to a responsible young man.

Meanwhile, Cassandra was busy writing a letter to her admirer.

'Padfoot,

Firstly, thanks for your kind words. Secondly, I don't know anything about you except that you're a Gryffindor. I would like to think you're from my class, or at least a sixth year. I know you're not Neal because I'd recognize your handwriting. Lily thinks I should ignore your letter but it certainly got my attention. The last few days were very interesting; you'd probably think I'm crazy. Two of my classmates, Neal and Sirius, fought after Charms because of me. Neal was trying to pull me and Sirius was there for me.

How were the first days of school for you? What would you like to share about yourself?

Cassandra'

She folded the parchment and placed it in the jar, as Padfoot told her to do. Sirius saw her place the note and smiled. He wanted the common room to be empty so he could fetch the letter. However, that would have to wait till after detention.

II

After detention, Sirius was relieved to find the common room empty. He took the letter out from the jar and folded it in his pocket. No one knew about the letters, not even his best friends. He saw Ewan and Cassandra walk in together. 'He's quick, the ugly little ferret', he thought, annoyed. To his surprise, Ewan didn't try to dive in a kiss. Surely she's kissed a bloke, right? That question intrigued Sirius as he saw her laugh with Ewan. He didn't want Ewan to be her first kiss, if that's the case. He looked at her luscious lips and wondered what it would feel like to kiss them.

Her slender figure turned heads, including Sirius's. He had known her as Lily's quiet friend and recently she has been more than that. She wasn't like the other girls at school –he knew that from the first time he saw her. Once he got to know her, he saw a different side to her: opinionated, loyal, loves to laugh. He knew things would change once she opened up; he knew other boys would notice her. He was used to picking up girls from a line and doing whatever he pleases with them. Cassandra's coy personality showed him a different way to behave: to woo a girl, to make her laugh, to support her. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she was starting to change him. He took the letter out from his pocket, opened and read it. He dwelled on each word and didn't hear Cassandra calling his name.

"Sirius!"

He finally looked up at them. "Hmm? Oh, hey you two!" Sirius exclaimed in surprise.

"What are you holding?" She asked him curiously.

"Oh this? It's just a note to remind me that detention ends in three days." Sirius lied and slipped the note into his pocket.

"Oh, okay then. Well, Ewan- " She turned back to talk to him. Sirius didn't hear their conversation. He went upstairs to his room to reply to Cassandra's letter.

'Cassandra,

The first days of school were crazy for me too. My one of my best friend drives me crazy about his girl problems. Another one is constantly sick and the third one practically worships me. I won't get into details, but let's just say I'm a pretty busy lad. I have a younger brother who isn't in Gryffindor. Unfortunately, we're not on good terms. My favorite color is blue; I mention it because girls usually ask that question. I've never taken out a girl on an actual date. It was more like a pint at the Three Broomsticks. I'd like to take you out some time and not just for Butterbeer, that is, if you'd like to.

Padfoot'

He put his quill back, folded the parchment and went downstairs to place the letter. He was beginning to like this 'secret letters adventure'. He couldn't wait for another letter from her.

III

Cassandra came back downstairs and opened the pink jar: a letter was inside. She pulled it out and closed the jar. She went upstairs to read it.

"Another letter from him?" Lily asked. Cassandra nodded and finished reading it.

"He has three best friends and a younger brother." Cassandra informed her.

"Is he on the Quidditch team?" Alice asked while brushing her hair.

"I don't know, he hasn't said." Cassandra replied and folded the letter. It could be someone from her year; she knew boys who have a younger brother. Why the name Padfoot? Surely it has a deeper meaning. She pondered about it while she brushed her teeth. She also thought about Ewan. He sat next to her during dinner and they talked. He was an excellent Quidditch player, hence his muscular figure. Cassandra noticed girls swooning over him, but he was focused on her. They planned to go out on their next Hogsmeade trip, which was in three weeks.

"Cass? Hello?" She heard Alice call her name.

"Huh?" She looked at Alice.

Alice chuckled and said "You were so out of it. I called your name a couple of times. Anyway, I heard Ewan asked you out. Are you excited?"

"Actually, I am. I'm also a little nervous." Cassandra said while brushing her hair.

"Lily and James are going to plan a Halloween Dance for 5th to 7th years. Do you think he'll ask you to be his date?"

"Alice, I honestly don't know!" Cassandra laughed.

"He'd better. However, don't worry if he doesn't. I'm sure some boys will ask you. I know Frank's friend, Trevor, might. He fancies you a bit."

This was news to Cassandra; boys were considering her as a date. Trevor was nice but didn't tickle Cassandra's fancy. She noticed that Sirius was watching her in the common room, when she talked with Ewan, but didn't dwell on it. Another thought crossed her mind: What if Ewan asks Cassandra to be his date for the Halloween dance? What if Padfoot does? Furthermore, would she ever discover who he is? She knows one thing for sure: she has to let the situation unfold and progress.

She suddenly realized she forgot her Potions book in the common room. She went downstairs to get it and saw Sirius sitting by the fireplace. She found her book on one of the tables and grabbed it. Then, she took a seat next to Sirius.

"Hey. How was detention?" Cassandra asked softly. He turned to her and smiled.

"My four day detention is set with Hagrid so it's not so bad. So, you and Ewan." Sirius said.

"So perceptive." Cassandra chuckled.

"Care to share? We're mates, right?" Sirius asked her with a hint of delight in his eyes.

"Yes, we are. Anyway, Ewan asked me out tonight to go with him to Hogsmeade. I fancy him, Sirius, and I know he likes me." Cassandra replied. She could tell that he didn't like her answer.

"I'm going to say this once: stay away from Ewan. He's no good, Cassandra." Sirius warned her.

Cassandra scoffed in disbelief. "Why would you say that? I really want to know."

"He's just no good, take my word for it and don't go out with him." He emphasized again.

"I see what this is about. You're jealous." Cassandra's hidden fiery temper emerged.

Sirius snorted and asked "Jealous of what, exactly?"

"Jealous that I'm getting more attention than you. I don't see any girl clinging on you anymore."

"Oh, so you've been watching me? Are you suddenly stalking me?"

"This conversation just got more awkward. I'm not stalking you. Like you've said before, we're friends and friends notice changes in each other. I've finally opened up and boys are actually looking at me. Why try to ruin that for me?"

Sirius sighed, ran his fingers through his hair and said "You right, I'll stay out of your way. Remember this: I want what's best for you. You deserve the best."

Cassandra's expression softened; she thought he would argue his way out, but was surprised he didn't. She hugged him and thanked him. He knew she was on the verge of making a terrible mistake. The best thing he could do was to put on a happy face and support her. Inside, he was disappointed and devastated. He felt incredibly stupid for not confessing about his pen-name; maybe that could've made Cassandra change her mind about Ewan. He just hoped that Ewan wouldn't break her heart.