The Sorting of the first years went smoothly, like it did every year. The Hat sang a new song about the four Houses; Cassi loved to listen each version of the story. The feast was wonderful, as always, and when it was over, Fred and George walked her and Hermione back to their dorm, just as they used to. It was wonderful to be back, to have some stability to her life again. Hogwarts was home.

The first day of classes went well, although Cassi was seated next to Seamus again in Potions. He managed to keep his potion from exploding this time - it merely filled the room with a putrid green mist. Everyone was quite proud of him.

The bell rang for the end of Potions. Cassi began to pack up her supplies when she heard, "Miss Renner, would you stay for a minute." Cassi glanced up warily. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk writing something. She looked over at Hermione, then at Harry and Ron. All three of them looked concerned. Hermione was closest, and she whispered, "You can't be in trouble, we only just got here and your potion came out beautifully."

"Miss Granger, I did not ask you to analyze the situation." Hermione blushed furiously and quickly grabbed her bag and left. Ron shot a venomous glare at Snape, who thankfully wasn't looking, and followed Hermione. Harry was the last to leave. He looked at Cassi, mouthed I'll cover for you, and left too.

Cassi finished putting her cauldron away, stood, and slowly walked to stand in front of Snape's desk. "Yes, Professor," she said quietly, not wanting to distract him from his writing but needing to get to her next class. Then again, it was just Divination - she didn't need a full period of listening to Professor Trelawney predict Harry's gruesome demise.

Snape finally looked up. "I merely wished to inquire into your summer, Miss Renner," he said. As he looked at her, seeing her up close for the first time in nearly four months, he noticed she had grown. She was a few inches taller, and she had grown into her features. She didn't look like a child anymore and he wondered if she was beginning to earn any respect from her guardian. He refocused on the conversation. "How was it this time?"

Cassi looked at Snape up close for the first time in nearly four months, and thought that he looked tired. He did his best to hide it, but his eyes looked...exhausted. She wondered how often other people took the time to care about how Snape was doing. He needs someone to look after him, she thought. Someone to take care of him, and keep him...well, alive. She realized he had asked a question. How to answer it?

"This summer...was fine, sir." It was a lie. This summer had been much worse. She had more scars and fewer bruises to show for it, and the memories made Cassi want to do nothing more than to clam up and shut him out. "It was fine," she said with a little more force. She couldn't ask for his help. Not right now. She didn't have the strength to deal with this entire can of worms right now; her emotions were still a little too raw. She would ask some other time.

Snape searched her eyes for a few moments, then nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. If you are still interested in your Defense lessons, I would like to meet here this Saturday at 8."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Cassi was relieved that Professor Snape was still willing to help her. Especially if she was planning to live in the wizarding world next summer with the Weasleys. She could use all the DADA she could get. Snape bent his head and picked up his quill. Seeing that the conversation was over, she made her way to the door.

"Miss Renner?" Cassi's hand paused on the doorknob. She turned. "Yes, sir?"

A tiny smile peeked through Snape's stern expression. "Welcome back," he said quietly. Cassi returned the smile. "Thank you, sir. It's good to be home." She left the room and closed the door softly behind her.

To her surprise, Fred and George were waiting for her outside the classroom. "What are you doing here?" she exclaimed. "You're late for your class!"

"Easy, easy," said George. "We were just making sure Snape wasn't picking on you," said Fred. "After all, we couldn't let you get ahead of us. It's only the first day, even we haven't gotten in trouble yet. That'd be embarassing, to be beat by a girl." Both twins shook their heads mournfully. "We'd have to go into exile."

Cassi had to laugh. "No, he wasn't picking on me. But how'd you know I was still in there?" She playfully gave them a wary glance. "You're not stalking me, are you?"

Both twins immediately assumed a sinister grin. "Maybe, maybe not, shan't tell," they taunted. Cassi laughed again before asking, "But really, how did you know?"

"We noticed you weren't with the other three, so Harry told us," Fred explained. George added, "Hermione didn't look like she wanted to be questioned, and Ron was in a right foul mood, so Harry told us and asked us to wait for you." "Which we would have done anyway," interjected Fred. "Right," resumed George, "because this year, now that we know what your summers are like, we're not letting you out of our sight."

Cassi just stood there for a minute, staring at them and trying to process what they were saying. "But...you don't have to, guys, I'll be fine-"

"Don't even try that," snorted Fred. "We're keeping an eye on you. Period." Cassi's face grew teasing. "I guess I'll just have to make your job as hard as possible," she said, only half joking. "Bring it on," Fred and George said simultaneously. She began counting on her fingers. "I'll get a detention in every class and play near the Whomping Willow and try out for Quidditch and..."

"Dare you to actually try out for Quidditch," said George. Cassi mentally slapped herself. The twins had been trying to get her to try out for Quidditch ever since her first year, but she never had. They had been there for the single time she was on a broom, just after Harry had been hauled away to see Oliver Wood in first year, and they claimed she was as good on a broom as Wood. She was very near their own magnificent skill level, and she was "depriving her own House" by not playing. She just laughed at them. Now, though, it looked like she would have to actually try out. "I will, watch me," she shot right back, hoping to mantain a little dignity. The twins looked at each other, then turned back to her grinning. Then they all burst out laughing.

"Go on and get to class before I dig this hole any deeper," Cassi giggled at them. Fred and George instantly froze and stared at her. She looked at them with half a smile on her face. "What? Did I just grow wings or something?"

Fred slowly turned to George and said, "Mate, there's something wrong with her." "She must not be feeling good," George agreed. They both turned back to her. Then, together, they said disbelievingly, "You just giggled."

She laughed and ran off towards Divination, leaving them staring after her. Giggling had never been her style; her amusement manifested as more of a contagious chuckle, but she couldn't help it this time. She couldn't explain her elation. She was just so happy to be home.