Sorry this is so late my (Morgan) computer crashed so I wasn't able to access any documents, and Meranda left me all alone while she was on a family vacation without any wifi. Luckily Meranda is back and had everything saved on hers too! Anyway this is an eventful chapter and as always I hope you all enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

The only downside to a weekend spent fooling around with Sirius and her friends was the catch up work Casselle had to get through on Sundays. The pile of homework that rested in her bag was likely to keep her occupied until Easter break.

It was useless to attempt to get any of her work done in the common room, Sirius was constantly distracting her and after a game James and Sirius were playing with a flaming Frisbee had ended in her Charms essay catching fire Casselle decided to finish her homework in the library.

She worked tirelessly through her pile as the sun slowly sank behind the horizon. Just when she had finally managed to get her work down to a manageable size Madame Prince informed her that the library was closing for the night.

Casselle muttered in annoyance as she collected her things, she had been so close to finishing that she hated the thought of trying to finish in the common room.

Madame Prince hurried her along practically shoving her out of the library and into the corridor.

"What's the point of having a library if she's just going to kick out the people that are actually doing work?" Casselle grumbled setting off for the Gryffindor common room.

She was in the middle of rehearsing a valid argument about why Lily should let her copy her Potions assignment when she was consumed by an uneasy feeling. She glanced around her, her hand going automatically for her wand. "Hello?" she called out uncertainly her eyes scanning the corridor. The hair on the back of her neck rose and she was certain that she was being watched.

"Hello sister," Nathaniel sneered stepping out of the shadows with Snape, Avery and Bellatrix in his wake.

Casselle's eyes narrowed and her grip on her wand tightened, "Nate how lovely to see you," she sneered keeping her eyes trained on her brother.

"I assure you the pleasures all mine," he drawled causing the others to chuckle.

"What do you want Nate?" she spat in a voice that was braver than she felt.

"We have come to offer you a chance to serve the greatest wizard of all time," Bella purred.

Casselle raised her eyebrows in surprise her eyes darting to Bella, "Have you now? And to whom would you be referring to Bella?"

"The Dark Lord of course you insolent half blood," Bellatrix hissed her eyes glittering with malice.

"Bella," Nate warned before returning his attention back to his sister, "The Dark Lord has taken a particular interest in you and your ability Casselle. He is willing to overlook your half blood statues as he has for Snape and I. He feels that you could be beneficial to our cause."

Casselle scoffed, "You must be crazy Nate, or just stupid if you think I would ever consider joining you."

"You little bitch," Bella spat whipping her wand out and pointing it at Casselle. "You don't deserve the offer you've been given. You're nothing but a muggle loving weakling."

Casselle felt her anger rising but fought against it, despite what she would like to do to Bella she was outnumbered four to one.

"Casselle think about it," Nate reasoned. "The Dark Lord has offered to train you. You could be powerful. You could have whatever you wanted. I'm sure he'd even let you keep Sirius as a pet."

Casselle clenched her jaw, "You're wasting your time Nate."

"Take some time to think about it. We'll return for an answer next week," he replied ignoring her retort and turning with the rest of the Slytherins to leave. "It would make father proud Casselle," He called over his shoulder in a mocking voice.

Casselle stood in the hall long after the group had left. She felt rooted to the spot by her anger, it coursed through her clouding her mind with red. She was being recruited by the worst wizard she had ever known and what was worse; her brother had already joined him, with her muggle father's blessing no less. She felt disgusted by the request. The very thought of working for a wizard like Voldemort made her sick.

The next day Casselle felt exhausted, she had barely slept last night anxiety about her encounter with the Slytherins causing her to toss and turn. She was barely able to pay attention during her lessons, her eyes drooping and her mind wondering. By the end of the day she had decided to go the Dumbledore and let him decide what course of action she should take.

She knocked timidly on the Headmaster's office door, wondering if he would be in or not. She had never had a reason to see him outside of her lessons.

"Enter."

Casselle pushed the door open and crossed the room sitting in her usual chair.

"Ms Dawson, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Dumbledore asked peering at her over his half moon spectacles.

"I erm had an interesting run in the other night and I wasn't sure if it was the kind of thing you'd want to know about or not…" She began. "I was walking back from the library and my brother and some other Slytherins intercepted me and made me an offer."

Casselle was encouraged when the Headmaster didn't look surprised by the news, "They said Voldemort wanted me to join them…that he thought my powers could be useful."

Dumbledore nodded, "I was wondering when this would happen, I suspect your brother was the one that informed him of your gift?"

Casselle nodded, "That's what he said…I told them I would never join of course but they said they would be back for my official answer next week."

Dumbledore sighed and rose from his seat behind the desk moving to pet Fawkes his phoenix. The pair sat in silence for awhile before Casselle cleared her throat sure that the Headmaster had forgotten her presence.

He looked up at the sound and smiled sadly, "Casselle I've asked a lot of you over these past weeks and I am afraid that I am about to ask more."

Casselle raised her eyebrows but didn't comment, waiting for Dumbledore to continue.

"I would ask that you take the Slytherins up on their offer to join them. There is much information to be learned from them, many lives could potentially be saved if we had an insider among them."

"But-But couldn't you just ban their meetings from taking place?" She asked adding a hasty, "Sir."

"Ah but Ms Dawson I have no doubt that these particular students will meet regardless of the rules don't you agree?" He waited for Casselle to nod before continuing, "Much better to have inside information, then we shall know exactly what is going on and be able to take action against them."

Casselle clenched her jaw, her skin crawling at the idea of spending more than five minutes with those people. Dumbledore was right that was a lot to ask of her. But if lives were on the line she was willing to do whatever she could.

"I'll do my best Sir."

"That's all I could ever ask for Casselle. Now I think it's best if you kept this mission to yourself. If word got out about what you were doing then you would be in a very dangerous position indeed."

"Sir surely I can tell my friends?" Casselle asked surprised by Dumbledore's request.

"I would prefer if you kept this to yourself. I'm not insinuating that your friends are untrustworthy Casselle," he added noting the look of dislike on her face. "But you're not the only one with an affinity for mind reading, young Severus seems to have a knack for it as well and we can't risk him finding something in one of your friend's heads."

"I can tell Sirius then?"

Dumbledore considered the question for a moment, "No Casselle I think it is for everyone's best interest that you keep this to yourself. If it becomes a need to know then you can tell them but for now keep it a secret."

Casselle scowled obviously displeased with the thought of keeping secrets from Sirius. "If you think it's for the best then I won't tell them," she replied.

"Excellent, I know its hard Ms Dawson but it's for the greater good. Is that all you had for me?"

"Yes Professor."

"Then I shall see you at our next lesson, and if you encounter anything suspicious in the meantime feel free to come to me."

Casselle nodded hurrying from the Headmasters office and back to the common room more troubled then before she had went.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lily asked for what was probably the hundredth time that day.

"Yes Lily I'm fine," Casselle replied rolling her eyes at her friend.

The three Gryffindor girls were enjoying a walk around the grounds. The weather was cool and clear, one of those rare sunny days in the winter season.

"You just seem…stressed."

"It's just class stuff Lil don't worry about it," she replied pulling her jacket more securely around her. Even with the sun shining the cold was biting.

"Is that a dog?" Emma asked squinting into the distance.

Casselle and Lily turned to stare in the direction Emma was pointing.

"I'm not sure," Casselle replied. "It looks kind of big….do you guys know anyone that has one?"

"Hagrid has one," Lily replied staring at the blob, "Whatever it is its coming closer."

Lily was right the dark shape was approaching them at an alarming rate, "Do you think its friendly?" Emma asked nervously.

"Wands out I reckon," Casselle replied keeping her eyes fixed on the dog.

As the shape approached it became apparent that it was in fact a dog, it barreled towards the girls who let out a little shriek and moved to the side. The dog however had other plans and it launched itself at Casselle knocking her backwards.

She screamed but soon her shriek turned to laughter as the dog licked her face. "Ew get off me!" she laughed trying to push the dog away. "Help!" she yelled scrunching her nose as the dogs tongue covered her face in slobber.

Lily and Emma laughed as they struggled to get the dog off of Casselle's chest finally managing to extract the dog from Casselle.

Casselle sat up laughing as she rubbed the dogs ears, "Well I guess he's friendly…is he Hagrid's?" She asked looking at Lily.

"I don't think so, his fur is shaggier but I could be wrong."

The dog grabbed the end of Casselle's scarf pulling on it slightly. "Hey drop it!" Casselle yelled attempting to grab it back.

The dog tugged harder successfully dislodging it from her neck and taking off towards the woods.

Casselle scrambled after it ignoring Emma and Lily's shouts. "Come back here!" she yelled after the dog trying not to slip on the icy ground.

The dog headed into the Forbidden Forrest ignoring Casselle's protest as it darted through the trees.

"Ugh!" she yelled slowing her pace to keep from tripping over roots. Despite her best efforts she managed to fall at least three times. "I'm going to kill that stupid dog," she growled brushing the snow and dirt from her coat.

Someone chuckled in front of her and she looked up in alarm.

"Having trouble love?" Sirius asked an amused expression on his face. "I believe this is yours," he held the scarf out for her and smirked at her perplexed expression.

"How did you…"

"I have to tell you something…but it has to stay between us okay?" Sirius replied staring at her in a somber way.

"Oookay," Casselle replied taking her scarf from him and looking at him expectantly.

"You know how Remus gets sick a lot?" Sirius started waiting for her to nod before he continued. "Well he's a-a well he's a werewolf…"

Casselle's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline, "Sirius Orion Black that's not funny," she snapped. "What would Remus say if he heard you saying something like that!"

"Casselle I'm being serious here, think about it, he gets sick once a month always around the full moon."

Casselle paused thinking it over, "But Remus…he's-he's so…"

"I know it's hard to believe Cass but I wouldn't joke about something like this."

"How did it happen?" she asked softly.

"He was bit when he was a kid, some bloke named Fenrir Greyback has made a habit of preying on children," Sirius explained his eyes darkening. "He's been one ever since he came to Hogwarts."

Casselle was overcome with a wave of sympathy for her friend, "That's awful," she breathed.

Sirius nodded, "He doesn't typically let people know but I got special permission to tell you…though with the lessons you probably would have stumbled upon it eventually. Anyway me and James worked it out in second year…and well we wanted to find a way to help so we decided to become Animagus…"

Casselle stared at him, "Sirius Black are you telling me that you're an…" she trailed off as his form shifted revealing the black dog that stole her scarf. Her jaw dropped as she stared at him in amazement.

He shifted back grinning at her, "We just managed it last year, me Prongs and Wormtail that is. It allows us to stay with Remus during the full moon."

Multiple things clicked for Casselle at that moment, the gashes he asked her to heal, the monthly disappearances without explanation and the worn look Remus got once a month.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Just-Just processing…." She replied her head whirling. She knew of course that the boys were close, brother like even, but this kind of devotion was awe inspiring.

He smiled at her sheepishly, "I know it's a lot to take in but I really wanted you to know…I would have told you sooner if I could have."

Casselle smiled, "I understand it wasn't your secret to tell….But Sirius what you're doing…just promise me you'll be careful okay?"

Sirius smiled, "I'm always careful love, but I promise nothing's going to happen okay?"

Casselle nodded knowing that this was an argument she would never win and she had no desire to come between Sirius and his friends.

"Casselle! Where are you!" Lily and Emma's voices cause Casselle to turn.

"I guess they're looking for me…"

"I better go; I'll see you back in the castle okay love? And remember to keep this between us okay?"

Casselle nodded kissing Sirius quickly and watching curiously as he turned into a dog and slipped further into the forest.

"Casselle!" Lily exclaimed running over to her friend. "Thank God we were beginning to think the dog was some kind of trap."

Casselle laughed, "Of course not, I got it!" She held up the scarf with a grin.

"How did you catch it?" Emma asked clearly impressed.

"Oh he erm dropped it, I never actually caught him." Casselle replied.

"Come on we should head back in, it's getting dark and the forest gives me the creeps," Lily complained.

Casselle and Emma nodded their agreement linking arms and heading back towards the castle.

The next day Remus came up to Casselle while she was finishing a paper for Herbology.

"Erm…Casselle?" He asked nervously.

Casselle looked up and smiled at him, "Hey Remus, what's up?"

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"No problem," she moved aside some of her parchment so he could sit down. "Is something wrong? I swear to Merlin if Sirius sent you over here to convince me to take a break I'll hex him."

"It's well….it's about what Sirius told you the other night…." He muttered afraid to look her in the eye.

"Oh…And?" Casselle asked carefully.

"Well its just…I know you're dating Sirius and everything but I just wanted you to know that if I make you uncomfortable then well I can not hang around with you guys. I mean I understand if you hate me…:"

"Remus I could never hate you, what brought this on?"

"I mean Sirius told you didn't he?" Remus asked his confusion clear.

"Yes and you think that would change things between us because?" Casselle asked hotly.

"It's just, I would understand if you didn't want to be around me." He said sadly.

"Remus Lupin I have half a mind to hex you," Casselle hissed her eyes flashing.

"Wh-what?"

"If you think something as insignificant as your furry little problem is going to change my opinion of you then you obviously know nothing about me because I'm not the kind of person that turns my back on my friends and frankly I'm hurt that you think of me like that."

"Insignificant," Remus scoffed his face falling into an ugly grimace. "I turn into a bloody monster once a month and you think that's insignificant. James, Sirius and Peter are always saying how its not a big deal, they even think it makes for great adventures half the time," Remus spat. "Of course it doesn't matter that I could hurt someone, that I could kill them or anyone else for that matter. That I'm a killer one night every month. No its just insignificant."

Casselle put her hand on his knee, until he looked up at her. "Remus I could never hate you. What happened to you is terrible, and I can't imagine what you have had to go through because of it. But it doesn't change who you are, you are still the kind, smart, and mischievous Remus that I knew. Yes something terrible happened to you, and it continues to happen to you once a month but its not something you can control, you wouldn't think less of me because I can read minds would you?"

"Well no but that's diff-"

"Its not," Casselle assured him. "I don't think of you any differently then I did yesterday Remus."

Remus allowed himself a small smile, "Thanks Casselle,"

"No problem, but I think you underestimate people. It might be a shock for them, but I know a few people who would still accept you for who you really are."

"What do you mean?" He asked confused.

"I mean, I know a certain girl…who is dying to get to know the real Remus, and you won't give her the time of day, its tragic really." She teased knowing he knew who she was talking about.

Remus blushed, "Cass you don't know what it's like. I could hurt her. What if she doesn't like me after I tell her?" He asked obviously sickened by the thought.

"First of all, you are only dangerous one night out of the month, and second of all, if Emma doesn't like you because of this, then I have been friends with the wrong person for six years of my life. You need to give her more credit, and you will never know if you don't try. I think you should at least go on a date with her," Casselle urged knowing that Remus had noticed Emma the same way Emma had noticed Remus.

"I guess you're right," Remus muttered looking over as Emma and Lily walked into the common room.

"Of course I'm right!" Casselle said arrogantly. "I'm always right."

Remus laughed, "Now you sound like Sirius."

Casselle laughed as well, "What can I say, I probably spend too much time with him."

"Too much time with who?" Sirius asked sliding into the open seat next to Casselle.

"Oh just an arrogant, bloke whose head is three times the size of a normal wizards…it's a good thing he's so good looking really. Might be his only redeeming quality," Casselle said casually.

"You better be talking about me, or I'll kill him."

Casselle laughed, "Of course I am talking about you, silly," Casselle said kissing him on the cheek. "Now Remus I think now is your best chance, at least just talk to her," She said turning back to Remus who was smiling at the two.

"I will, thanks Cass," Remus said getting up and heading over to Emma.

"What was that about?" Sirius asked watching his friend.

"Just talking some sense into Remus," Casselle said.

Sirius watched as Remus sat down next to Emma who was beaming at him, "About time someone did," He said pulling Casselle close to him. "So what are we up to here?" He asked looking down at her essay.

"Herbology." Casselle mumbled. Sirius laughed and sat back as she finished her essay.

Before Casselle knew it a week had passed and as she was walking back from the library, she could tell she was being followed.

"Who's there?" She called pulling out her wand.

She head a chuckle as she turned around, "Little sis so quick to react."

Before she knew it, her wand was flying in the air and landed in Bellatrix's hand. "Just a precaution, you understand." Bellatrix sneered.

"Have you made your decision?" Nathaniel asked.

"Yes, I have," She said holding her head up. "I've decided to change sides, you do know how I like to win, brother," She replied smiling coldly.

"I thought you would. Bella give her back her wand."

Bellatrix walked over to her and handed her, her wand grudgingly. "I'm watching you Dawson." She sneered before walking back to the other Slytherins.

"We will have our first meeting this Saturday at 9pm, in dungeons. You shouldn't have a problem finding us." Nate said.

Casselle nodded and turned to leave, "Oh and Casselle," he said causing her to look back. "Don't do anything stupid, I would hate to have to kill you." He glared at her and turned to leave, leaving Casselle glaring after him and feeling like her position was hopeless.

Casselle walked back to the common room, trying to figure out how to keep this from Sirius and the rest of her friends.

"Hey, there you are," Sirius said looking up from his friends as Casselle walked in.

Casselle tried to make her smile unstrained but failed. "What's wrong?" He asked standing up to go to her.

"Nothing," She said forcing herself to sound nonchalant. "What are you guys up to?" She asked walking over to them, as Sirius sat back down.

"Just discussing ways to prank the Slytherins," James said looking up from the parchment in front of him.

Casselle smiled, from the arm of the chair Sirius was sitting in. "Anything good?"

"Not really, mostly amateur stuff."

"Well I should get to bed, I'll see you guys tomorrow," She said kissing Sirius on the top of the head and heading toward the dormitory.

"Hey Cass! Wait up!" She heard Sirius call after her. She paused at the stairs and turned back to him. "Are you sure your okay?" He asked holding her close.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired," She said smiling at him, and kissing him lightly on the lips.

He knew she was lying to him, but he couldn't figure out why and decided to leave it. "Alright, night babe," He said kissing her more freely before letting her go up the stairs.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Again we're sorry we were so late with this chapter but we promise we'll be getting faster! And as always please review! We love to hear what you have to say!