Sorry midterms, jobs and life have been getting in the way! Some of you asked where we're from and we are indeed from the US (Michigan to be exact) Sorry about the Fahrenheit/Celsius confusion! We didn't even think about the conversion haha. Also we LOVE the couple names! We didn't even think about them, they're great! Anyways we hope you enjoy!

NEWTS were fast approaching and Dumbledore decided to stop the meetings, in order to let Casselle catch up on her studies, she was so grateful. Her mind was a mess of pain and memories along with trying to remember her notes from classes.

Things had been tense between Casselle and Sirius the past month, though they both avoided the topic. Casselle continued to go to the meetings with barely any success of collecting information. Unlike Dumbledore the Slytherins hadn't stopped meetings due to NEWTS. Casselle could feels Sirius's eyes on her every time she slipped through the portrait hole.

It would be different if she was actually getting anywhere, but the lack of useful information paired with the tension between her and Sirius was wearing on Casselle. She had started to tell him the truth on multiple occasions but Dumbledore's warning always stopped her. She was torn between the potential to save lives and keeping her boyfriend.

Regardless of her problems the school year was passing quickly, the snow was thinning and on some days thawing entirely as February gave way to March.

"Casselle we should do something for your birthday!" Emma exclaimed pushing her books aside. She and Casselle had gone to the library to study but Emma had never really mastered the art of studying.

Casselle looked up from her own work, "It's a little early to start planning isn't it?" Casselle asked confused.

"Cass you do know your birthday is only a week away," Emma explained slowly.

"Nu uh, it the 14th of March." Casselle said.

"Yes, and today is the 7th."

"What? No way! Where has the time gone?" Casselle asked frantically. She felt like just yesterday she was celebrating Sirius's birthday.

"With your beau?" Emma said with a smile.

Casselle looked over at Sirius who was twiddling with his quill while Remus made him study, she smiled thinking Emma was right. Regardless of the tension about her meeting she had spent the majority of her time with Sirius.

"Hold on," Emma said walking over to the boys before Casselle knew what was going on.

Emma knelt down next to James and started whispering to them. As Emma talked to them Sirius looked over at her quizzically. She raised her eyebrows confused at what they were talking about.

Sirius started to walk toward her and sat down in the chair Emma had occupied. "You didn't tell me your birthday was so soon," He said reprimanding her with a smile.

Casselle laughed, "That would be because I didn't know it myself. I didn't realize it was only a week away…"

"Well we have to do something special; you're turning of age after all," He said with a wink leaning back on the back two legs of the chair.

"What do you have in mind?" Casselle asked slyly.

"Oh I don't know. I think it'll be a surprise."

Before she could respond, James was calling everyone's attention. "Hey everyone, it turns out we have another one of my friends coming of age already. Casselle Dawson will be seventeen in a week so we have to throw an awesome party for her. Of course you are all welcome, invite who ever. Except Slytherins obviously." James called from the chair he was standing on.

"Something tells me you guys aren't doing this for me, but just using it as an excuse to throw another party," Casselle remarked watching as James started frantically making preparations.

Sirius smiled, "No it is all for you babe," He said sliding over to her to plant his lips over hers.

Casselle smiled, "Whatever you say."

The week went by in a blur of classes and homework for Casselle.

"How does it feel to be almost of age?" Sirius whispered into her ear as they sat around their friends by the fire the night before her birthday.

"I don't know," Casselle smiled. "Birthdays were never really a big thing at my house. I was lucky if I got a cake, much less presents."

"I know what you mean," Sirius said. "Birthdays at the Black household meant you got a day off of beatings, but that was it."

"That's terrible," Casselle said turning to look him in the eye.

"It wasn't as bad as it seems, I honestly don't think I would have wanted any present my parents would have gotten me." Sirius said shrugging it off.

"Well I hope my birthday present made up for a little of that."

"Oh yes, it did," He said pulling her in for a more passionate kiss. "You make me forget about them every day."

Casselle smiled.

"See right there, completely forgot about them. All I need is that smile to wipe those terrible memories from my head," He said kissing each side of her smile, causing her to smile even wider.

"Well I'm glad to be able to help," Casselle laughed as he nuzzled her neck tickling her gently.

"Love you better get to bed, you have a big birthday planned," Sirius said kissing her neck.

"I do?" Casselle said feigning surprise. "Well then goodnight," She said kissing him softly and pulling away.

Casselle was dreaming happily when she felt something soft brush over her lips and down her neck. She opened her eyes lazily still caught somewhere in her dreams.

"Happy Birthday Love," She heard Sirius whisper.

"Sirius?" She asked squinting in the dark to see Sirius kneeling by her bed smiling at her. "How did you get in here?" She asked looking around confused.

"Let's just say I had some four legged help," he said smirking.

"You transformed into a dog to get into my room?" She replied smiling, so that's how they did it.

"What can I say, I had to be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday," He said smiling.

"You definitely are the first," She said looking at the clock that read 12:04.

"I'd give you your present, but I'm saving it for the rest of your surprise."

"I see." She said. "So you've told me happy birthday, what else were your plans?"

"Well, I was hoping I could seduce you into bed, but I don't think that will work. Unless?" He raised his eyebrows at her.

Casselle laughed softly, "Think again lover boy."

"Then I'll let you sleep, goodnight birthday girl," He said leaning in to give her one last lingering kiss.

"Night," She said as he got up. She fell asleep almost instantly a soft smile playing on her lips.

Casselle stretched as the morning sun shined through the window. She was lucky enough to have a birthday that fell on a Saturday that year. She looked down to see a small pile of presents at the foot of her bed. She smiled seeing the names of her friends on the packages.

She opened the ones from Lily and Emma revealing some chocolate, romance books, and of course Emma got her some lacey lingerie. She smiled as she set them aside to open one from Remus to reveal a book on Egyptian wizards, a subject that had always fascinated her. James had got her some candy and a few things from Zonko's. She was surprised to see a letter at the bottom of the pile. She opened it to find her own mother's elegant writing.

Dear Casselle,

Happy Birthday, we hope you are behaving and focusing on your studies at school. Now that you are of age, we feel you need to start planning for the future. Your father and I have found some matches that we approve of. We have begun to seriously consider these things to make sure you are leading the life we have brought you up to led.

Love, your mother.

Under the note was a list of names, that Casselle had never even heard of. Was her mother serious? Did she really think she would agree to being set up for an arranged marriage? This was beyond ridiculous; she was in a blind fury at the nerve of her parents.

When she walked down to the common room, she was still pissed about the letter. Sirius was waiting for her as usual, one look at her face and he knew something was wrong.

"What's going on?" He asked wrapping his arms around her.

"My parents," She said angrily. "Look at what they've sent me for a birthday present,"

She handed Sirius the letter, and waited for him to read it.

His eyes turned cold with anger, "Are they serious? This is their idea of a birthday present?" He asked.

"I know! I can't believe them. I'm glad I never have to go back there. Can you imagine an arranged marriage? The sheer nerve!" She vented taking the letter back and ripping it up and throwing it in the fire. "Come on, we should go before Breakfast ends," She said holding on to Sirius's hand as they headed to the Great Hall.

In the middle of breakfast the post had arrived, and everyone watched as a large package flew to the Slytherin table.

"What's that?" James asked watching it land in front of Nathaniel.

Casselle's heart turned to ice; she knew whatever it was it wasn't a letter of possible spouses. Sure enough as Nathaniel opened the package, he pulled out some expensive looking dress robes and a watch, goblin made from the looks of it.

Nathaniel looked up and caught her eye smiling coolly. She turned away losing her appetite.

Sirius looked over at Nathaniel then at Casselle who had her head down, he wrapped his arm around her, "Hey ignore him. They deserve each other. You've got the real thing right here," He said kissing her head.

She looked up smiling at him, "You're right," She replied. "So when is this party supposed to kick off?" Casselle asked trying to lighten the mood around her.

James scowl at Nathaniel turned to a giant smile at the mention of the party, "Sirius said we can't start until 10 for some reason. Apparently he already has plans, OW!" He yelled glaring at Sirius and rubbing his shin.

"Shut up Prongs," He hissed through his teeth.

Casselle laughed, "Plans? And what would that be?" She asked looking at her boyfriend expectantly.

"They're a surprise." Sirius said pulling her closer.

Casselle smiled, "I always like your surprises," She said planting a kiss on his lips.

"Then you will love this one," He said winking at her.

"Can we dial back the sappy love at the breakfast table? I'd like to finish my food," James complained.

Casselle laughed, "I'm sorry James. No more cuteness at the table. Got that Sirius?"

"I don't know, you know how I love to break the rules." He said with a glint in his eye burying his face in her neck causing her to laugh as he nibbled on her neck.

"Stop!" She cried trying to pull away.

"I think I'm going to be sick," James said pushing his plate away.

Sirius just laughed pulling away, "Oh come on Prongs you're just jealous."

"Yes, oh so very jealous of you Padfoot," James said sarcastically. They all laughed as James continued to sulk for the remainder of the meal.

Sirius took Casselle for a walk around the grounds, as spring had finally started to shine through the gray clouds of winter.

"I'm going to make this the best birthday, you've ever had," Sirius whispered in her ear as they settled beneath a tree.

"You already have," Casselle said wrapping her arms around him pulling him towards her.

They spent most of the day hiding out away from others to enjoy some time alone for some much needed snogging.

When dinner time finally rolled around Casselle pulled away from Sirius. "We should probably head down to dinner," She said as he continued to kiss down her neck.

"I have other plans," He murmured against her skin.

"Sirius we're not missing dinner because you're horny."

Sirius laughed, "That's not the only reason," He pulled back. "I have something special for dinner."

"Oh really? What's that?" She asked.

"A surprise. I'll be back to the common room in an hour to bring you to it. So go get dressed," He said pulling her off the floor.

"Excuse me, but I am dressed." She said raising her eyebrows.

"Not for this occasion you aren't," He said with a crooked grin.

She smiled, "Well then I better go get ready. I'll be waiting," She said giving him a quick kiss and hurried off to the common room.

She decided to wear the new lingerie that Emma had gotten her and a form fitting sleeveless dark blue dress that stopped mid thigh. She put on the earrings he had gotten her for Christmas, and made sure the necklace was in place. She curled her hair softly pinning half of it back. She applied some silver and blue eye shadow that accompanied the dress and made her eyes pop exquisitely. She slid her feet into her sliver heels and went to wait for Sirius down in the common room.

Everyone was still at dinner so she waited in silence staring at the portrait hole hoping he would hurry. Finally it opened, and she stood waiting for his reaction. He had changed as well, in a black silk shirt that was unbuttoned at the top, and a nice pair of jeans.

She smiled as he stopped dead in his tracks, "Casselle…" He trailed off taking in every part of her.

"How do I look?" She asked twirling slowly.

He was by her side in seconds lifting her into his arms, "Incredible, there are no words to describe the way you look. Your beauty is unmatchable."

Casselle laughed as he set her down, "Such the charmer."

"No I'm serious," He said his eyes showing no trace of joking, just intense truth.

She stared at him, amazed at his sincerity, "I love you," She said pulling him towards her.

"I love you too," He said picking her off the ground again for a second. "Now we have to get going. I need you to wear this," He said pulling a blindfold out of his back pocket.

"And how am I supposed to walk with that on?" She asked.

"You're not, I'm carrying you to our dinner." Sirius said simply tying it around her eyes. "It'll be a complete surprise that way."

"Oh really?" She asked.

"Yep," He picked her up into her arms bridal style. "I'm loving your choice of dress my dear," He said as his hand ran far up her thigh.

She shivered at the contact. "If you like that, you'll love what's under it," She whispered in his ear.

He groaned, "Don't tempt me, or we won't make it to dinner." He said climbing through the portrait hole and starting down the corridor.

"And we can't have that," She said with a smile. They continued in silence, until finally Sirius set her down on the floor.

He pulled off the blindfold, and Casselle gasped. She was standing in the Astronomy tower, in front of a couple of cushions surrounding cake, cookies, ham, potatoes, two flutes of nettle wine and candles lit the entire room in a soft glow.

She turned to Sirius in amazement, "You did all this for me?" She asked.

"I'd do this and more every day," He said pulling her towards him. "I love you Casselle Marie Dawson, and I want every birthday after this to be a day you'll never forget." He kissed her slowly on the lips, and led her to the cushions so they could eat.

They ate mostly in silence, Casselle enjoying every bite. Everything was delicious. When they got to the cake Sirius started to feed it to her. As the meal ended they started scooting closer to each other.

"You never cease to amaze me," She said taking a sip of her wine.

"I'm glad," He said. "I hope I never do. Now it's time for your present, birthday girl." He said pulling a small package from behind his back and handed it to her.

She smiled and opened it to find a mirror. "A mirror?" She asked looking at him quizzically. "I mean it's nice but I'm not that vain."

Sirius laughed, "look at it again," he urged.

She stared at the mirror trying to see something besides herself in it, all of a sudden Sirius's face popped in the frame. "Happy birthday love."

She gasped almost dropping it, and turned to Sirius. "How-?"

Sirius smiled, "It's a two way mirror. Me and James have had one since second year. Now we can always see each other."

"That is so amazing!" She said throwing her arms around him. "Thank you." She said as she set it down.

"You're welcome," He said softly pushing her hair away from her shoulder and started leaving a trail of kisses along her collar bone. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling. She leaned back and he laid her down on the floor, "Now let's see what's under this dress," He said moving his hands up her thighs.

As he pushed the dress up he moaned, "Oh I'm glad I didn't know this before, we never would've made it to dinner."

Casselle laughed pulling his face up to hers, "That was the point."

She undid his shirt and ran her hands down his back as he shivered from the pleasure.

"How long do we have until the party?" She asked as he kissed her jaw line.

"Another hour," Sirius said between kisses.

"Good," She said moving her hands to his jeans. Sirius chuckled moving his lips farther down.

Casselle and Sirius emerged in the common room an hour later a little disheveled but incredibly happy. The party had just started, and James was handing out drinks to everyone, while most of the people were on the makeshift dance floor.

"Would you like a drink?" Sirius asked pulling her toward James.

"I would love one," She said.

"Well look who finally decided to show up," James smiled pouring two fire whisky's and handing the glasses to them.

"Oh be quiet Prongs and get your girl. I'm sure she's intoxicated enough to go for you," Sirius said.

Casselle nudged him, while James blushed. "Don't worry James, just ask her to dance."

James nodded and moved to where Lily was sitting with Remus, Emma, and Peter.

"Come on, let's dance," He said downing his drink.

Casselle smiled copying him and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. Casselle could see James spinning Lily around to the music, and smiled.

They spent the night dancing and laughing with their friends, by 3 am everyone was falling asleep where they sat in the common room. Casselle slept sitting in Sirius's lap in one of the oversized chairs by the fire. Lily fell asleep with her head leaning on James shoulder, and Emma had her legs draped over Remus's as they dozed off.

The week after Casselle's birthday was filled with class and studying, she hardly had any time to spend with Sirius with NEWTS coming up so soon. Now that James and Lily had started to become friends, Snape had been insistently bugging Lily.

It was driving Lily and of course James nuts. In the last few weeks pranks against the Slytherins and Snape in particular had become a constant.

"I'm so sick of him following us all around like a puppy," Sirius said glaring at Snape who had tried to nonchalantly follow them to potions.

""Just leave him alone," Casselle said pulling Sirius's attention away before he pulled out his wand. "He'll get the hint sooner or later," She said as James pulled his wand out without Lily seeing and made Snapes bag split open dropping everything.

The night of the full moon was that Thursday, so Casselle left Sirius to play with his friends while she studied with Lily and Emma. She glanced over noticing that Sirius wasn't in the common room, he came back a few minutes later with a huge smile on his face.

He started talking with James and Peter as he sat down next to them. Peter laughed at what he said, but James was not happy at all. He looked to be reprimanding Sirius and then got up and ran out of the portrait hole. Sirius continued to lounge in the chair, and Casselle turned back to her studies slightly confused.

An hour later they looked up from their studies as they saw James storm into the common room.

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" He yelled over at Sirius who was napping by the fire. Sirius jerked awake at the yell and looked over to his best mate.

"James calm down. It wasn't a big deal." Sirius said knowing exactly where his friend was going.

"Not a big deal! Do you understand what you could've done! What could have happened! DO YOU EVER THINK?! He would've died!" James yelled ignoring the fact that everyone in the common room was listening to him.

"He would have deserved it. He needs to learn to mind his own business," Sirius scoffed.

"And what about Remus!? Did you ever stop for one moment and think SIRIUS! Are you even listening to yourself?! You're no better than them, saying things like that!" James said before he stormed off to the dormitory.

Sirius looked after his friend sheepishly, regret etched on his face.

Casselle walked over, wondering what that was about, she had never ever seen James yell at Sirius like that before. "What was that about?" Casselle asked sitting next to Sirius.

He pulled her onto his lap immediately nuzzling his face in her neck, "James is just mad about a prank I played on Snivellus," He said offhandedly.

"Upset? Why? He's usually the one all for pranks against Snape?" She asked.

"Well this one may have gone a little too far…" Sirius admitted.

"What do you mean? What did you do?"

"Well he's been bugging us about Remus and his furry little problem. So I told him that if he went down to the Shrieking shack tonight he would find out what we've been up to."

Casselle froze. "You what?" She asked shortly.

"He didn't get all the way down there, James stopped him from going too far," Sirius explained.

Casselle tried to move out of Sirius's grip appalled at what he had done. Sirius tightened his grip, "What's wrong?" He asked not wanting her to go.

She pushed his arms away and stood up. "Sirius Black, you can't do that. Do you understand what you could've done? What if Snape had gotten all the way down there?"

"Not you too," Sirius complained throwing his arms in the air.

"Sirius he could have died! Not to mention what that could have meant for Remus! Do you not understand what could've happened?"

"What are you just mad because I could have hurt one of your best friends now?" Sirius snapped glaring at her in annoyance. Sirius hated being reprimanded, especially twice in such a short period of time.

Casselle froze eyeing him levelly, "What are you talking about?"

"Do you think Snivellus wouldn't let you to any more of their meetings because of what I did? That you couldn't gossip and laugh about all of us with them anymore?"

"Sirius you have no idea what you are talking about," She said quietly hoping no one could hear him.

"What? Do you not want everyone to know where you've been going every other Saturday night?" He asked standing and raising his voice. "Don't you think they have a right to know you're betraying them?"

"Sirius please, stop." She begged looking around noticing that everyone was staring at them.

"No Casselle, because you think what I did was bad but I think, and I'm sure everyone else would agree, that what you are doing is despicable."

"No you don't understand," She pleaded.

"Well why don't we see what everyone else has to say," He said narrowing his eyes.

"You wouldn't," She said her eyes widening.

"Hey everyone, you want to know where our lovely Casselle has been sneaking off to every other Saturday?" He called out to everyone in the common room. Everyone including Lily and Emma was looking over at them.

"Yes? Well why don't I tell you. Casselle has been sneaking off to have meetings with the future Death Eaters of the world. Isn't that interesting?" He asked turning back to Casselle who had lost all the color in her face.

"Cass?" She heard Lily called softly. "Is that true?" She asked.

"Of course it's not!" Emma replied hotly, "Cass wouldn't do that, tell her Cass."

Casselle couldn't even look over at her friends, she had no defense because regardless of how misinformed Sirius was she couldn't deny it. She stared at the floor her face burning with shame and anger.

"How could you," She whispered close to tears. "I trusted you Sirius."

"Did you? Then why didn't you tell me? I had to figure it out on my own," He said his grey eyes turning cold.

"I couldn't! Why couldn't you just believe me!" She cried.

"Because Casselle you've been going behind our backs for months, I can't keep sitting back and believing you aren't doing something wrong."

"I'm not, you have to believe that."

"Casselle you're meeting with the very people that disowned me and hate your best friend, how can't you see that that's wrong?"

"Because it's not like that."

"You're just like them," Sirius snapped. "Two faced and cold. Now I can see the resemblance between you and your family."

Before Casselle knew what she was doing her hand flew up and made contact with Sirius's face, with tears in her eyes she glared at him. "I thought you knew me better. I gave you everything, and you're just going to throw that in my face! We're done Sirius Black, I hate you!" She screamed running up to her dormitory.

Sirius looked after her, feeling a tear in his heart as he watched her go. Now James was mad at him and he had just lost the one girl he had ever loved.

Casselle buried her face in her pillow and just cried, she knew it would come down to this. Why had she ever agreed to go to those awful meetings. She had lost Sirius, and now probably Lily and Emma they would never listen to her.

"Casselle?" She heard Lily call out quietly. "Please tell us what's going on," She could hear the tears in Lily's voice.

Casselle sat up slowly hating the sad look in Lily's eyes. "I'm sorry, Lils. It's not what you think," Casselle begged.

"Well why don't you tell us what's going on, Cass," Emma snapped.

Casselle hesitated, fighting back tears as she tried to think clearly. She couldn't bare the thought of Lily and Emma hating her too, the thought of them looking at her the way Sirius had in the common room made her feel ill. They're my friends, she thought to herself, they deserve the truth regardless of what Dumbledore thinks.

"Dumbledore told me not to tell anyone…" She started weighing her words carefully. "So you can't tell anyone…" she waited for them to nod their agreement before continuing. "You know how I can read minds? Well somehow Voldemort found out about that and wanted to recruit me to his side. I don't know why, I mean Dumbledore says he's a competent mind reader so I don't know why he would need me. When I told Dumbledore about it, he believed it would be a good opportunity to see what Voldemort was planning. So that's why I have been going to all those meetings." She said looking at her two best friends, "But believe me when I say they're awful. Having to listen to them rant about blood purity, it makes me sick," She pleaded with them hoping they would understand.

"So you've been spying on them for Dumbledore?" Lily asked slowly.

"Yeah."

"But that's so dangerous! What if they find out?" Emma exclaimed.

"That's why he didn't want me to tell anyone. So that it was less likely that they could find out. Snape is trained in legilimacy so he can read people's minds. But I had to tell you after what Sirius said I couldn't have you hating me too," She whispered tears flooding her eyes.

"Oh, Cass," Lily said putting her arm around her friend.

"Lily it's over. He hates me, and I don't ever want to see him again," She said tears falling freely from her blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, it'll be okay. If he couldn't trust you he wasn't worth it," Emma soothed, rubbing Casselle's back.

"Yeah he doesn't know what he's missing," Lily added.

Casselle let out a shaky breath, "I just wanted him to trust me, why couldn't he understand that?"

"Because he's a man, and men can't understand anything," Emma announced.

Lily laughed and even Casselle cracked a smile. Emma had that effect on people. "Thanks guys. I think I'm going to head to bed, though." She said just wanting to be alone and hoping that when she woke up that maybe none of this had actually happened.

"Okay, we'll be here if you need us," Lily said giving Casselle a hug and going over to her own bed. Emma followed suit hugging Casselle and pulling her curtains closed around her friend's bed.

Casselle curled up on her bed, silent tears falling onto her pillow. She knew this would happen but she wished it didn't have to be so soon. He hated her, and it was her fault. I should've just told him, she thought bitterly a surge of regret racing through her.

It took a couple of hours but slowly Casselle sank into a fitful sleep dreading the thought of waking up and facing the rest of the school.

We're sorry it's so depressing! Especially since some of you expressed that you didn't want them to break up! Anyways please review!