So we know this took forever and we don't really have a good excuse but we will try to update a little faster in the future! I hope you all enjoy and thanks to those that reviewed!
"Is everything okay Cass?" Lily asked as the three Gryffindor girls got ready for bed that night, "You seem a little distant."
Casselle sighed her head had been spinning all evening. First all the stuff with Dumbledore then Sirius dropping the L word, it was all taking awhile to process.
"I have to tell you guys something…"
Emma and Lily both stopped what they were doing and looked at her expectantly.
"So you know I had my meeting with Dumbledore tonight and um well he asked me to help… with the war…"
"He wants you to help?" Emma asked clearly amazed, "But you're only a sixth year! Not that you're not bloody brilliant but…"
"Well you see the reason he asked is because I-I have an erm talent that he thinks would be useful…"
"Which is?" Lily asked.
"Promise me you won't freak out okay?"
"We promise," both girls chimed.
"I can read minds; I've always been able to. And well Dumbledore thinks that could be helpful…"
Her statement was met with silence as her two friends took the news in. Emma was the first one to break it, "You mean you could have just read the professors minds and gotten all the answers all these years and you haven't!"
Casselle stared at her friend in amazement; she hadn't been expecting that response. "Well erm some people can sense it when I try…plus that's cheating!"
Lily giggled as Emma rolled her eyes, "I can't believe we're just finding out about this now!"
"I've always kept it to myself…"
"Okay what number am I thinking of!" Emma exclaimed closing her eyes.
Casselle rolled her eyes but pushed at the barrier around her mind brushing Emma's, "13," she replied casually.
"That's so weird!" Emma exclaimed grinning, "Not in a bad way just in a different way," she added quickly noticing Casselle's face.
Casselle laughed, "I haven't even told you the most baffling part of the night yet. Sirius dropped the L word earlier…"
"Wait, Sirius as in Sirius Black!" Lily exclaimed her eyebrows disappearing into her hairline.
"As in the biggest playboy of Hogwarts, Sirius Black?" Emma added her expression mirroring Lily's.
"Yea he said it right after I told him about Dumbledore…"
"And you said?" Emma pressed
"I-I well I said it back," Casselle replied flushing.
Lily let out a whistle sitting down on her bed, "And you meant it, you really love him?"
Casselle hesitated, "No one's ever made me feel like he does and well yes I love him."
Lily smiled and Emma grinned, "Who would've thought that Sirius could be capable of anything but sex. Speaking of which have you guys…"
Casselle threw her pillow missing Emma by mere inches "No you pervert."
"But you want to," Lily teased looking at her friend knowingly.
"I-I don't know," Casselle replied honestly. "How are you supposed to know when you're ready?"
Both girls turned to look at Emma the only non virgin in the room. She had lost it back in the summer right before fifth year to a summer fling she had had. "I don't know it just felt right and I wanted to so we did," she replied with a shrug. "Though if saying the word sex still makes you blush that's probably a sign that you're not ready," Emma teased nudging Lily.
Casselle giggled along with Emma as Lily flushed and slapped at them playfully.
"I guess if you really love him and trust him and you want to then you're ready," Emma concluded grinning at Casselle.
Casselle nodded thoughtfully. It wasn't as if the thought hadn't been crossing her mind lately and their snogging sessions had been growing steadily more heated.
"You should talk to him about it," Lily added reasonably.
Casselle laughed, "Yeah because that won't be an awkward conversation."
"Fair point," Lily admitted laughing with her.
"Se la ve," Casselle announced, "whatever happens happens."
"I give it till the end of the week before she's been deflowered," Emma stage whispered to Lily causing the two to break out in laughter.
As it turns out Casselle and Sirius weren't able to spend much time together over the next week. Their work load was steadily climbing and Casselle was spending every ounce of free time in the library much to Sirius's frustration.
"I just don't see why you can't take a break," Sirius insisted one evening as Casselle poured over her Transfiguration book.
"Take it up with McGonagall, this essay on Animagi is due tomorrow and I don't understand any of it!"
Sirius grinned, "I can help you if you'd like."
"Is that a genuine offer or are you just attempting to distract me?" Casselle asked.
Sirius barked out a laugh "For once it's a genuine offer love."
He sat down next to her slowly going through the steps and theory from memory. Casselle wrote as he talked asking the occasional question and before long her essay was finished.
"Have I ever told you how amazing you are?" She asked as she rolled her parchment up.
"Come to think of it I don't think you have," Sirius teased wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Well you're bloody brilliant Sirius Black," She replied smiling at him.
"And?" he asked grinning at her.
"And I love you regardless of how big your head is," she replied kissing him gently. "Oh I forgot to tell you I'm supposed to bring someone with me when I go to Dumbledore's office do you want to come?"
"Of course," he replied, "Why does he need someone else?"
"Something about the corridors not being safe after curfew, he said he wasn't the only one recruiting."
Sirius nodded, "He is a wise man."
"I'm supposed to be there at 9 which gives us exactly two hours."
"And what would you like to do for the next two hours?" Sirius asked brushing back her hair.
Casselle's stomach fluttered at the question as she recalled her conversation with Lily and Emma, "Oh erm how about a trip to the kitchens I'm famished."
Sirius gave her a curious look before pulling her to her feet, "Let's go then."
The two walked to the kitchen in relative silence, Casselle's realization was making her feel awkward and unsure of herself.
"Everything okay?" Sirius asked as he leaned forward to tickle the pear.
"Everything's perfect," she replied climbing into the kitchen.
"Whats can wes get you miss?" a squeaky voice asked.
"Can we get some chocolate ice cream please?" Casselle watched as the house elf took off to fill their order.
"There's nothing in the world chocolate can't fix," Casselle stated taking a big bite of her ice cream.
Sirius chuckled as he watched her, "What is it with girls and chocolate?" he teased taking a bite out of his own snack.
"Blasphemy!" Casselle exclaimed. "One should never question chocolate!"
Sirius laughed leaning over and kissing her quickly, "mhmm you're right it does taste good."
Casselle grinned taking another bite, "Nope that's just me. I always taste delicious."
Sirius laughed and the two enjoyed their ice cream in companionable silence.
"So are you nervous about your meeting?"
Casselle shrugged, "Maybe a little, I mean I've never really used it for much more then avoiding boredom…I'm not really sure how great of a weapon it will be."
"Well Dumbledore certainly seems impressed which is a good sign," Sirius replied pulling her to her feet. "We better head up to his office."
Casselle laughed, "But we still have at least forty minutes!"
"Well I might have planned a detour or two," Sirius whispered pulling her closer.
Casselle smiled bringing her lips to his, "I think I can deal with a detour or two," she whispered wrapping her arms around his neck.
The two barely made it to Dumbledore's office on time and when they arrived they were both looking disheveled but happy.
Casselle knocked timidly on the office door.
"Come in Ms Dawson, Mr Black"
Casselle gave Sirius a curious look wondering how he knew who she brought with her before entering the office.
"Excellent, take a seat please," the Headmaster requested peering at them over the top of his crescent moon spectacles.
The two Gryffindors slid into the armchairs directly across from Dumbledore's desk.
"So Ms Dawson I think that we should work on developing different aspects of you gift. What you are able to do is very rare in the wizarding world. Most wizards and witches have to perform a spell before they are permitted to enter another's mind. In your case however no spell is necessary, correct?" He paused and Casselle quickly nodded before he continued. "Excellent, Casselle I believe you're what we call a legilimen. This means, as you've probably noticed, that you're able to extract feelings and memories from someone else. I take it you've experienced this?"
"Yes Professor," Casselle agreed.
"In addition to mind reading you're also able to place visions or ideas in other's though I understand that you have never done this before correct?" He waited for Casselle to agree before continuing. "What you are able to do is very curious Ms. Dawson. Most legilimen have to train for years to be able to do what you are, and yet you've received no training at all." He stared at Casselle for a moment before continuing. "You seem to have a natural ability for this skill and I would like to train you to use it to the fullest though I have to warn you the process won't be easy."
"I'm ready," Casselle replied steadily excited to begin her lesson.
Dumbledore beamed at her, "Just what I like to hear Ms Dawson. Now I think we should start by training you to block others from your own mind. This is a form of magic known as Occlumency; I believe Mr. Black is familiar with it."
Sirius smiled and nodded.
"Now Casselle all you have to do it pick an image, it can be anything a wall or a memory and focus all of your energy on it. I will in turn attempt to enter your mind. Take a moment to pick an image."
The room fell silent as Casselle raked her mind for an image. She decided on a simple brick wall, closing her eyes in concentration. "Okay I'm ready," she announced.
No sooner were the words out of Casselle's mouth then she felt a presence pushing on against the wall. Focus, she told herself pushing back against the force. The struggle lasted for ten minutes before Casselle's concentration wavered and Dumbledore broke through.
She was younger and sitting alone in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. She glanced up nervously as the door slide open revealing a younger Emma.
"Can I join you?" the small girl asked, "everywhere else is full."
Casselle's small form shrugged and Emma took the seat opposite of her.
Casselle was pulled back from the memory by Sirius's voice. Her eyes opened as she glanced around her confused for a moment. "Oh no!" she moaned. "I didn't do it!"
Dumbledore smiled at her, "You did remarkably well for your first time Ms Dawson."
Casselle scowled, "Let's try it again."
The process repeated at least a dozen times before Casselle was able to block Dumbledore for a substantial amount of time.
"Excellent Ms Dawson, you've made an amazing amount of progress in such a short time."
Casselle beamed at the praise, she felt exhausted but pleased with herself none the less.
"I think that will be enough for tonight. You and Mr. Black should return to your dormitory for the evening. I will see you again in two weeks. Between lessons practice using your ability, though limit it to willing participants please." The Headmaster smiled at her a twinkle in his piercing blue eyes.
Casselle nodded tiredly getting to her feet and leaving the office with Sirius. "Ugh I'm exhausted," Casselle murmured stifling a yawn as they walked down the corridor.
Sirius smiled softly, "It definitely takes a lot out of you," he agreed. "You were at it for almost two hours which probably doesn't help."
"Where did you learn to do it?" Casselle asked glancing over at him
A shadow passed over Sirius's face, "At home," he replied shortly.
Sirius's tone told her that she shouldn't push him further so she let the matter drop. "Thanks for coming with me; I'm sure it wasn't the most interesting evening for you."
Sirius grinned, "What did he see that made you blush so bad?"
Casselle felt a familiar heat creeping up her cheeks; at one point when Dumbledore broke through she had to relive a very embarrassing part of her conversation with Lily and Emma. "Oh erm just a conversation I had with Lil and Emma," she replied awkwardly.
Sirius's grin broadened, "And what were you three discussing that you wouldn't want the Headmaster to hear?"
"That is none of you business," she replied willing her cheeks to stop burning.
Sirius continued to smile enjoying her embarrassment, "You're so cute when you blush," he teased wrapping his arm around her.
Casselle scowled but snuggled closer to him anyway.
The pair separated at the common room after sharing a quick kiss. "Sweet dream," Sirius whispered as he disappeared up to the boy's dorm.
Casselle didn't even bother to change her clothes before collapsing on her bed; she was simply exhausted, falling to sleep almost instantly.
By the time Casselle woke up the next day sunlight was streaming through the windows. She stretched rolling over and smiling contently. She felt better then she had in a long time.
"Oh good you're up, I was just coming to wake you. Get dressed or you'll miss lunch sleepy head." Lily called pulling the curtains back from Casselle's four poster. "I was going to come get you for breakfast but Black convinced me to let you sleep."
Casselle smiled sitting up and running a hand through her tangled hair, "Good I'm famished." She jumped out of bed and threw on some jeans and a light sweater and threw her hair up into a ponytail before following Lily down to the common room.
"Ah Sleeping Beauty emerges," Sirius teased wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lightly on the lips.
Casselle grinned at him returning the embrace, "Thanks for calling off Lily, I really needed that."
"No problem love."
The two went to lunch with the rest of the group laughing and gossiping among themselves.
After they had all eaten their fill they made their way back to the common room but Sirius grabbed her hand and held her back. "Fancy a walk?"
Casselle grinned and nodded following him back out of the castle, the air was cool tinged with the first signs that summer was truly over and winter was on its way. Casselle leaned into Sirius sharing his body warmth.
"So I've been thinking," Sirius began. "You should practice on me….not blocking me because I can't read minds but you could practice trying to get through my shield."
Casselle raised her eyebrows in surprise, "I thought you didn't want me to learn how to fight?"
Sirius smiled at her warmly, "I'm not thrilled at the idea but you seemed determined to do it and I want you to have every advantage and that means practicing."
Casselle hesitated, "Are you sure?"
Sirius nodded, "One hundred percent sure, just give me a minute." Sirius closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay I'm ready."
Casselle pushed the boundaries of her mind brushing against Sirius's consciousness timidly. She admittedly hit the wall that he had erected around himself. She pushed a little harder but had little success. Feeling slightly frustrated she began pushing at different parts of the wall; maybe she could find a weak spot.
Finally when she had almost given up she found a spot that felt softer than the others. She took a deep breath and then pushed with all her might against the weak spot. She could feel it cracking under her attack and after a couple minutes struggling she broke though.
She saw Sirius laughing with James, Remus and Peter by the fire in the common room. The image quickly shifted to an older Sirius his arms wrapped around another girl. They appeared to be in a broom closet. Thankfully the image shifted again, she caught a glimpse of a black dog before Sirius managed to throw her out.
Casselle opened her eyes to see Sirius panting across from her. He looked shaken and drained and she felt the same way. They sat in silence for a moment both calming down.
Casselle was trying not to dwell on the image of Sirius kissing another girl, it wasn't his fault after all and she had known he had a colorful history. "Who was she?" she asked offhandedly.
"Cass," Sirius warned running a hand through his hair.
"What it's just a question," Casselle insisted.
Sirius sighed, "I think it was Blaire Pickens…from Ravenclaw though I'm not a hundred percent sure."
Casselle nodded letting the subject drop, knowing the name didn't make her feel better. "Do you own a dog?" She asked curiously the image of the huge black dog flashing through her head.
"Oh well erm kind of," Sirius replied not quite meeting her eye.
Casselle stared at him waiting for him to explain.
"Look Cass, it's not one-hundred percent my secret to tell and I haven't gotten permission yet. But I'll tell you as soon as I can okay?"
"What kind of secret could revolve around a stray dog?" She asked skeptically but she didn't push the matter further.
"On another note you did really well, especially with no training."
Casselle grinned at him, "I wasn't expecting to do it on the first try."
"Well I'm not exactly the best at it but it's still quite an accomplishment," He praised wrapping an arm around her.
Casselle leaned into him feeling tired but content, "Does it ever creep you out?"
"Does what, ever creep me out?" he asked rubbing her back.
"Me being able to do all these thing?" Casselle glanced at him watching his face closely.
Sirius thought about it for a moment, "You're powerful Cass and that can be intimidating but I've never found you creepy," he replied sincerely. "Though if you weren't on my side it might be a different story."
Casselle smiled, she would have never admitted it but his words meant a lot to her. "I love you," she whispered kissing him gently.
"I love you too Cass," he murmured his lips meeting hers again.
The two sat exchanging kisses and sweet nothings for the better part of the afternoon.
"We better head to dinner before the others come looking for us," Casselle said with a sigh. The sun was low in the sky and the temperature was dropping.
Sirius nodded pulling her to her feet and the pair went back to the castle.
The weeks passed by with homework, spending time with Sirius and meetings with Dumbledore. Casselle was really starting to feel the stress of it all, she snapped at people for little things, and always felt guilty about it later. She got particularly angry with Sirius one night near the end of November.
Casselle was having trouble with her Potions essay; she had been attempting to write it for over two hours and her head was pounding, not to mention she had been to one of her meetings with Dumbledore the night before and had only gotten a few hours of sleep.
Sirius slid into the seat next to her in the common room, "Hey how about we ditch this place and head down to the kitchens?" He smirked snaking his arm around her waist.
"Not right now Sirius," She said moving out of his grip without even looking up.
"Oh come on, you know Slughorn doesn't care that much about those essays, and it'll do you some good to have a study snack."
Casselle glared at him, her head throbbing. "He might not care but I do! I'm not hungry and I'm not in the mood, so just go bug James for a while!" She yelled at him.
He looked taken aback, but quickly recovered and stood up. He looked down at her and held out his hand.
"What?" She asked irritated, "I told you I don't want to go." She could tell people were staring at them, but she didn't care, she was annoyed and tired and just wanted to be left alone.
"Come with me," He said keeping his voice calm, even though her anger grated his nerves.
"I said no!"
"Casselle, come with me."
"Sirius, go away." She said and turned back to her essay rubbing her head slightly. The next thing she knew, she was being lifted out of the chair and thrown over Sirius's shoulder. "SIRIUS BLACK YOU PUT ME DOWN NOW!" She screamed beating at his back.
The whole common room was staring at them, as Sirius made his way to the portrait hole. As the Gryffindors stared after them in bewildered amusement, they obviously didn't know what to make of the scene in front of them.
"SIRIUS I MEAN IT! I WILL HEX YOU INTO NEXT YEAR IF YOU DON'T PUT ME DOWN NOW!" She shrieked as he walked out of the portrait hole.
He set her down in the corridor, but grabbed her wrists so she couldn't run away.
She glared at him, "Let me go right now. I do not want to go anywhere with you. You can't just treat me like your rag doll because I don't want to do what you want." Her voice was cold as ice as she hissed at him.
"No, you're going to listen to me because this attitude needs to change," He said slowly trying not to let her words affect him.
"Listen to you? After you dragged me out here against my will! I don't think so! That is not how this relationship is going to work, you don't have the right to treat me like that and I won't put up with it."
Sirius took a deep breath and then pulled her into an empty classroom. He let go of her and locked the door behind him, when he turned around he saw Casselle pointing her wand at him.
"Casselle, put that down." He snapped his exasperation getting the best of him.
"No, open that door. So I can leave and finish my damn homework!"
"No! Because you can't go around snapping at people for all these stupid reasons! You need to relax, get away from your homework, practicing, everything for a little while." Sirius yelled finally losing his control.
"I don't have time to relax! We have NEWTS coming up, and loads of homework, and Dumbledore is counting on me!" She cried giving voice to the pressure she was feeling. "Now to top it off, I have to worry about keeping you happy and what I am going to do for the Christmas holidays! While straining my mind every other Friday trying to be better at this power to fight Voldemort!"Her breathing had grown heavy with her rant, it scared her to think about everything that was going on at the moment. She closed her eyes trying to calm herself, when all of a sudden she felt two strong arms wrap around her and hold her tight.
She let out a sob of frustration, and wrapped her arms around him clinging to his back. "Shh, it's okay. You don't have to do this alone. I'm here and I always will be," Sirius said rubbing her back soothingly. "I'm here to help you, no matter what. Your little tirades are not going to be able to push me away."
She smiled, burying her face in his chest loving the way she fit so perfectly in his arms. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, it wasn't right. I guess I've been rotten to everyone the past few weeks. It just feels like too much sometimes."
"If you would let someone in to help you it wouldn't be so bad." He whispered. "Come here," he pulled her down to the floor and turned her away from him. He set his hands on her shoulders and started massaging them.
Casselle moaned slightly as he worked out a knot in her back, it felt so good she closed her eyes letting him work his hands over her shoulders and down her back. He continued to work out every knot that he could find for an hour or so, when he was done Casselle fell back into his chest feeling exhausted.
"Thank you," she whispered, "for everything."
"It's my pleasure, love." he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Now do you want to talk about what's going on in that head of yours?" He asked softly.
She turned toward him, "I don't know it just feels like too much right now. All this homework and practicing it's getting to me."
"Well how about no more practicing for a while, until homework starts to lessen up," He suggested, rubbing circles in her palms.
"That seems reasonable," she said distracted by the electric sensation his fingers were causing.
"I'll even start helping you with your homework, instead of distracting you."
"Like that's possible," She smiled.
"And I think you should stay here with me, for the Holidays."
She looked up at him unsure, pulling her hand out of his needing to think. "Sirius…" She trailed off not knowing what to say.
"Casselle it's the best option. You can't go back there, not after what happened during the summer." He said stubbornly.
"The longer I wait to go back, the worst it is going to be."
"Then don't go back."
'What?" She asked confused.
"Move in with me for summer, you won't have to see your family again." He suggested.
"Sirius, I am not going to move into the Potter's to stay with you."
"I'll get my own place, I have the money it won't be a problem. Come on Cass, it's a great idea."
"I don't know…" she said. "I need to think about it."
"Alright, well at least stay here for Christmas. James has to go home and I don't really want to be here by myself."
"Why won't you go with him?" She asked.
"Because I'd rather be here with you," He took her hand in his again, and Casselle felt a wave of butterflies flood her stomach.
"I-" She didn't even know what to say. "Okay, I will." She said quietly.
Sirius smiled, and pulled her face toward him kissing her hungrily on the lips. They continued their snog session for another half hour, before Casselle broke apart smiling.
"Alright, I really have to get back to finishing that essay." She said standing up before Sirius could change her mind. He smiled smugly, but stood with her, linking their fingers together as they walked back to the common room together. "By the way," She said as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. "You drag me out of the common room like that again, and I'll hex you into oblivion." She said straight faced.
"Dually noted." He said smiling before giving the fat lady the password and walking through the portrait hole.
When they walked in most of the people were gone, Lily and Emma were waiting at one of the corner tables while the marauders occupied the couches by the fire. Sirius sat with Casselle at the table that had the remains of her potions essay, "Alright how can I help?" He asked sitting at attention.
Casselle laughed and explained her trouble with the essay, and Sirius diligently helped her. With his help she finished it in another hour, even though he was trying to distract her slightly, and made her laugh more than once with jokes about Slughorn. She leaned back relieved to have that behind her, "Thank you," She said. "You helped a lot."
"It was my pleasure." He smiled pulling her chair closer to him. "Now how about some more distractions?" He asked with a glint in his eye.
She laughed, "I don't think so. It's time for bed now." She got up and pecked him on the lips.
"But?" Sirius pouted. "I took all that time to help you and I don't even get a reward?"
Casselle smiled, "Maybe a little reward." She leaned down slowly this time, she set her hands on his shoulders and let her lips linger on his. She nipped at his bottom lip, causing him to gasp in surprise and her tongue explored his mouth slowly and teasingly. Then she pulled away, leaving him wanting more.
"I think I might help you with your homework more often," He said easily, even though his whole body was begging to finish what she had started.
She smiled and gathered her things, before kissing him one last time and heading up to the girl's dormitory.
As Casselle was getting into bed, Lily asked, "So what happened after Sirius dragged you out of the common room? We thought for sure, that you were going to kill him from the look in your eyes."
Casselle sighed, "No he just knew I was in a bad mood and needed some relaxation."
"Some relaxation? That must have been fun." Emma said smirking.
Casselle threw a pillow at her laughing, "Not like that, I swear your worse than he is. He just let me take out my frustration on him, and then he gave me an incredible back massage," She paused. "I'm sorry for being in such a foul mood lately. All this homework and lessons with Dumbledore have been getting to me."
"It's okay Cass," Lily said gently. "We understand you're under a lot of stress right now."
"Yeah, even though I want to hit you, I know you don't mean what you say," Emma smiled and laughed.
Casselle and Lily laughed as well, "Thanks for understanding. You guys are the best."
"We know," Emma and Lily said at the same time causing them all to laugh again.
The Sneak peek offer still stands! Trust me you'll want a glimpse of the next chapter ;))