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In the week that followed everything finally felt normal for Casselle. She had Sirius at her side, and didn't even have to hide her affection for him anymore. Her relationship with the boys had also reverted back to normal, devoid of any awkward silences or tension.
Something new to the equation were Lily and James, who had embarked on a tentative relationship, though Lily was adamant that the pair were dating, not going out, a distinction that still confused Casselle.
"Cass I told you it means that we're seeing each other but we aren't boyfriend and girlfriend I don't know what you find so complicated about it," Lily huffed over homework late Thursday night.
"And you're doing this because?" Emma prompted sharing a sly look with Casselle.
"Because we're taking it slow," Lily snapped.
"I just never thought you'd be one to snog without a commitment," Casselle teased. She had her own suspicions that Lily was simply trying to prolong the announcement that she was dating James Potter because she had spent the better part of six years complaining about him. Lily was always a prideful person and admitting James wasn't the prat she always claimed he was would certainly be a tough pill to swallow.
Lily flushed at the comment and became curiously entranced with the Herbology essay she was working on.
Lily was saved from further torment by a pair of arms sliding around Casselle's waist, "Hello love," Sirius purred kissing her cheek. "Are you nearly done?"
"Just finished actually," Casselle replied stuffing her books and parchment in her bag and scrambling to her feet, "See you guys later!" She called hurrying from the library with Sirius.
"Traitor!" Emma called after her.
Casselle followed Sirius out of the library and into an empty classroom on the third floor. After a prolonged greeting (not the verbal kind) Casselle pulled away feeling breathless, "I thought you were going out with the boys tonight?" She asked her breath hitching as his lips traveled down her neck.
"Hmm I still am but we aren't meeting until dusk which still gives us," Sirius paused glancing at his wristwatch "At least another hour."
"Well in that case," Casselle replied pulling him down to her.
An hour later the two emerged from the classroom disheveled but smiling.
"Come back in one piece okay?" Casselle whispered hugging him close. She had come to terms with what the marauders did during the full moon but it still made her nervous.
"Cass we've done this a hundred times, we'll be fine," Sirius replied kissing her on the forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow!" he called as he took off down the hall.
She watched as he turned the corner disappearing from sight before sighing and making her way back to the common room. Lily and Emma were still in the library and the boys were gone so Casselle went straight to her dorm not wanting to stay in the crowded common room by herself.
She laid down on her bed stretching out, she had a mountain of homework, that regardless of what she had told Sirius, wasn't done and she should be practicing for her meeting with Dumbledore tomorrow but all she felt like doing was laying in bed.
She closed her eyes deciding to rest for five minutes before doing anything else.
The next thing Casselle was aware of was Lily yelling at her to get up. She sat up rubbing her eyes glancing at the watch on her nightstand. It seemed that her rest had turned into ten hours of sleep.
She grimaced as she realized all of the homework she had neglected and on top of that she hadn't done any practicing for her meeting with Dumbledore that night.
Muttering a string of curses under her breath she made her way to the bathroom brushing her teeth and running a brush through her long hair. She sighed pulling her hair into a ponytail before leaving the bathroom and getting dressed.
She followed Lily down to breakfast rifling through her bag, if she planned it right she would be able to finish her Potions essay at breakfast and then do her Herbology reading during Potions and then finish Charms during Herbology…though if they were repotting plants her Charms work wouldn't get done.
Casselle groaned in frustration wishing that Lily would just let her copy.
"What's got your panties in a bunch? Besides me that is," Sirius asked sliding into the seat next to her at the Gryffindor table and grabbing a handful of bacon.
"I fell asleep last night and didn't get anything done!" Casselle groaned leaning over her Potions essay and trying to remember what the three uses of Snarkle pus were.
"I thought you said you were done with everything?"
"That might have been an exaggeration," Casselle confessed shooting him a sheepish grin before turning back to her essay.
"Here I'll help you," Sirius replied leaning closer to her.
She worked diligently through breakfast and managed to finish not only her potions essay but half of her Charms work with Sirius's help.
"You're a miracle worker!" Casselle exclaimed kissing Sirius thoroughly.
"Not to mention brilliant," Sirius added shooting her a sly smile before kissing her again.
Casselle laughed and pulled away looking into Sirius's face, "How was your night?" She asked tracing the dark circle under his right eye with her thumb.
Sirius shrugged in response, "It wasn't too bad, nothing out of the ordinary anyway."
"Do you want Lily to come with me tonight instead so you can get some sleep?"
"Of course not," Sirius scoffed. "What kind of a marauder would I be if I couldn't handle one late night?"
Casselle considered arguing with him but knew it would be pointless Sirius was nothing if not stubborn.
"Fine but try and get some rest before nine okay? You won't be much help if you're exhausted."
"Hmm as long as you promise to lay down with me," Sirius purred wagging his eyebrows suggestively.
Casselle laughed shoving him, "Your sex drive never ceases to amaze me."
"Would you have it any other way?"
Casselle pretended to think about it for a minute before shooting him a sly grin "No I wouldn't."
The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Casselle, she managed to finish her Herbology and the rest of her Charms during potions though neither proved to be her best work.
She was relieved when classes convened for the weekend resolving to not think about homework until the following Sunday.
She ate a quick dinner with Sirius and James before insisting that Sirius go back to his dorm and attempt to get some rest promising to wake him at eight thirty so he could come with her to her biweekly lesson.
She passed her time with Lily and Emma thumbing through Emma's latest copy of witches weekly while Lily showed Emma her latest edition of Vogue, a present Mrs Evans had sent her daughter.
"Muggles have all the luck, these clothes are way cuter then wearing robes twenty four seven," Emma complained admiring a picture of a model the caption claimed to be named Twiggy.
"But robes are way more comfortable," Casselle pointed out.
"Life is not about comfort," Emma replied. "Life is about looking good and this," she gestured to one of the models outfits for emphasis, "looks good."
Casselle rolled her eyes as Lily chuckled, "Honestly Em you should start a muggle fashion shop, if you used magic to sew everything you could make a bloody fortune in no time."
Emma eyes lit up at the suggestion, "New life plan!" she announced earning another round of giggles.
"I better go wake Sirius, have fun planning out your future!" Casselle announced getting up and heading to the boy's dorm.
She eased the door to the marauder's room, opening it as quietly as she could, creeping across the floor to Sirius's bed. The soft sound of his snores brought a small smile to her face as she eased his curtain back.
He was fast asleep the covers rolled down only covering half of his chest one of his arms rested over his eyes. His mouth was parted and his chest fell up and down. He looked so peaceful that Casselle loathed to wake him.
Remembering her promise she leaned over and brushed some hair out of his face, "Sirius," she called shaking him.
He mumbled something intangible turning away from her.
Casselle grinned renewing her efforts, "Sirius sweetheart we're going to be late."
"Five more minutes," he groaned burying his face in his pillow.
"Come on you big baby," Casselle teased sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Mean," he moaned not lifting his head.
Casselle rolled her eyes giving him a little shove, "Come on you can sleep as soon as we get back."
"Okay you win," Sirius replied sitting up and running a hand through his disheveled hair.
"When do I not?" She teased standing. "Hurry and get dressed."
"Care to help me?" Sirius replied standing and wrapping his arms around her narrow waist.
"Sirius you know we don't have time for that," she scolded attempting to keep the smile out of her voice.
"I just asked for some harmless help," Sirius replied stepping away from her and over to his trunk where he grabbed a light blue t-shirt and jeans and pulled them on.
"Finally," she teased when he was done grabbing his hand and pulling him from the dorm.
The two made it to Dumbledore's office right on time and after knocking where granted permission to enter the study.
"Ms Dawson, Mr Black," Dumbledore greeted gesturing for them to take a seat.
After the two were seated Dumbledore wasted no time in getting started.
"Right Ms Dawson, you've been making extraordinary progress but today I want to concentrate on overcoming your weakness. As you know you often become overwhelmed after entering someone's mind, their memories and feelings come to rapidly for you to comprehend or control," the headmaster paused waiting for a confirmation from Casselle before continuing. "I believe this flaw is a result of a lack of focal point. Picture the thoughts of another as a lake, once you breach it you become instantly surrounded by their thoughts and you for lack of a better analogy drown. What we need to focus on doing then it channeling the thoughts of others, creating more of a river that can flow at whatever rate you wish it, do you understand?"
Casselle nodded slowly, "I think so but how do I do it?"
"Ah now that is the tricky part indeed Ms Dawson, tell me when you enter someone's mind do you normally do so with a memory in mind that you wish to see or do you go in without a structured purpose?"
"I suppose most of the time I go in without a structured purpose," Casselle replied.
"Have you ever gone in with a memory in mind before?"
"Yes, yes I have," She replied comprehension slowly coloring her voice. "Sir do you mean to say that I can channel the thoughts of others by having an intent when I search their minds?"
"That is exactly my theory Ms Dawson, now tell me the times you entered with an intent in mind did you find yourself over come with memories?"
Casselle's brow furrowed as she tried to remember, there was that one time she had searched Emma's thoughts to find out if she had borrowed one of her shirts without asking. "I don't think so…" she replied hesitantly.
"Well we shall never know unless we try, Mr Black if you would be so kind?"
Sirius nodded moving his chair so that he was facing Casselle, once he nodded that he was ready Casselle selected a memory that she wanted to search for, deciding on the first time Sirius had told her he loved her. Repeating what she wanted over and over again in her mind she pushed her consciousness towards Sirius brushing against his mind with ease. She struggled against his barriers for a moment before finally slipping through a crack in his defenses. She repeated her request again and was surprised when the memory sprang towards her.
She grinned choosing another memory and laughing as it presented itself to her. She pulled herself from Sirius's mind feeling pleased with herself. "It worked!" she exclaimed.
Dumbledore graced her with a small smile his blue eyes twinkling, "Excellent Ms Dawson."
Casselle and Sirius practiced the rest of the evening, and though the new method didn't prove to be flawless it still worked marginally better than before.
Dumbledore dismissed the pair at eleven, praising them for their work and arranging for them to meet the next week at the same time.
Casselle left the office feeling content with her progress, "It finally feels like it's all coming together," she confessed to Sirius as they climbed a staircase.
Sirius gave her a small smile, "You've made a lot of progress this year I just wish I could have been there to see it."
"I think Lily shares your sentiments, the whole thing kind of put her on edge," Casselle confessed her smile faltering.
Sirius's hand found hers and he gave her a gentle squeeze, "You're powerful Cass, but that doesn't make you weird or different at least not in a bad way. It just makes you…formidable."
Casselle grinned at his choice of words, "Formidable?" she asked a slight smirk gracing her lips.
"Okay maybe formidable is kind of corny, but that doesn't mean it's not true. I mean Voldemort took an interest in you, that's no small thing."
Casselle said nothing troubled by his words.
"Hey don't worry about it, whatever comes of it we'll face it together okay?"
"Okay," Casselle replied returning Sirius's smile and squeezing his hand.
With Sirius back at her side the weeks began to run into each other for Casselle, between her lessons with Dumbledore, her school work and Sirius she barely had time to sleep let alone keep track of the date.
It was with mild surprise she responded to Sirius's inquisition about her birthday plans.
"It's a little early isn't it?" She asked looking up from her Charms textbook.
"Cass your birthday's next week," Sirius replied his eyebrows raised. "You don't mean to tell me that you forgot about your own birthday?"
"I guess I didn't realize how much time had passed," she replied her eyebrows pulling together. Christmas break seemed like only yesterday not three months ago.
"Well do you have anything you want to do?" Sirius asked again amusement coloring his tone.
"I have everything I need right here," Casselle replied giving him a small smile.
"Nope you're not getting off that easy it takes more than a few sappy compliments to derail me love."
"Honestly Sirius I don't have anything in mind, I'd be content to just hang around the common room…"
Sirius let out a loud sigh, "I guess I'll get have to come up with something on my own then."
Casselle rolled his eyes, Sirius had always been one for dramatics, "Honestly Sirius you don't have to go to any trouble…" she trailed off realizing that her protest were useless and that Sirius wasn't even paying attention to her but rather lost in his own thoughts.
She left him to his planning turning back to her school work wondering how so much time had slipped by her.
James had made an announcement similar to the one he made for Sirius's birthday for Casselle, the party was set for the Saturday before her birthday which would be the following Sunday.
The day dawned unusually warm for mid March and Casselle awoke to a stream of sunlight in the late morning. She sighed feeling warm and content in her bed. She stared at her ceiling realizing that tonight would be her last birthday party at Hogwarts.
She blinked back unexpected tears as they sprang to her eyes, graduation hadn't been in the forefront of her mind but it seemed to be right around the corner now. Hogwarts had always been her haven, her home. It was where all the important events in her life had taken place and she was loath to leave it behind, especially with the uncertain climate in the wizarding world now.
"Cass?" Sirius called tentatively knocking softly on the door. "You're going to miss lunch if you don't get up, you've already missed breakfast." He came into the room pulling the curtains on her bed aside.
"Come on sleeping beauty," he teased smiling down at her. His smile faltered when he saw her face, "What's wrong?"
She smiled, "Growing up I suppose."
Sirius sat down on the edge of her bed and brushed her cheek wiping away a stray tear that she hadn't realized had fallen. "And you're upset why?" he asked gently.
"It's silly I suppose," she replied her voice wobbling. "But it just feels so final you know what I mean? Every summer I've had Hogwarts to look forward to and now we'll never be coming back here. And what if I can't get a job? And I have to worry about finding a house because I'm sure as hell not going back to mine. And I won't get to see you every day, or James or Lily or Remus or Em or even Peter. Not to mention I don't even know how long we'll live out there…" Her voice had grown an octave as she gave voice to worries she hadn't even been aware she had.
Sirius waited in silence for her to finish before replying, "First off you're bloody brilliant so of course you'll get a job I can't believe you're even worried about that. If anyone should be worried its Wormy," Casselle gave a weak laugh at the jibe, "Second off I would never ever let anything happen to you Cass. I would fight Voldemort himself to keep you safe. And as far as a house…well I was going to wait to give you this until tonight but since you seem so worried about it." He dug around in his pocket for a moment before producing a small box which he handed to her.
Perplexed Casselle opened the box and pulled out a plain silver chain, on the end a rustic key hung. It was elegant and antique looking with two simple teeth hanging off the thin rod.
"Sirius it's beautiful," she breathed admiring the intricate patterns on the face of the key.
"I'm glad you like it but it has a more practical use than most jewelry. It's…well it's the spare key to my loft…" his voice trailed off and he ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"I know I asked you this last year but I wanted you to know that the offer still stands, if you want to that is, you're welcome to move in once we get out of school," his eyes drifted to her face trying to discern an answer from her expression.
Casselle grinned throwing her arms around him, "Of course I'll move in with you," she breathed before crushing her lips to his.
The two kissed wildly for awhile before Sirius pulled back grinning at her, "I was really hoping you would say that."
"You couldn't have possibly been worried about my answer?" Casselle scoffed slipping the chain around her neck.
"Well you never know," Sirius replied squeezing her hand with his.
A moment of silence passed between the two.
"I know what you mean," Sirius stated after a moment or two.
"What?"
"About leaving this place I know what you mean. It's different for me and you than it is for the others. Hogwarts has always been the place where we were happiest…where we had the best memories."
Casselle nodded squeezing his hand, "We'll just have to make new memories, in our home," she emphasized the word our, enjoying the rightness that spread through her at the prospect of living with Sirius.
Sirius nodded in agreement and the two sat in companionable silence for awhile before Casselle's stomach rumbled interrupting the moment.
"Shall we get to lunch?" Sirius asked amused.
"Yes please," Casselle replied standing and rifling through her trunk for some clothes. Once she was dressed the two made their way down to the Great Hall.
Two hours before the party Emma and Lily dragged Casselle from her game of exploding Snap with the boys and up to the dorm to get ready for the party.
"Honestly I don't think it will take two hours!" Casselle exclaimed as Lily pulled her into their room.
"Casselle Marie Dawson, you're crazy if you think we're letting you out of this room looking anything short of perfect," Emma announced fingering her wand threateningly.
"Still two hours?" She whined slumping back on her bed.
"Well we can't all be gifted with natural beauty like me," Emma teased. "Now me and Lily have something for you if you'd stop complaining long enough for us to give it to you."
Casselle sat up raising her eyebrows, "Okay you have my attention," she teased.
Lily went to her bed reaching under it and producing a medium sized box, "It's from both of us," she explained handing it to Casselle.
Casselle ripped the paper from the box and slid the lid off stifling a gasp as she laid eyes on the dress inside.
It had a white fitted bodice with a sweet heart neckline at the waist it flared out with a tulle material skirt in black. It had a fun volumes shape and she absolutely loved it. "Thank you!" she gushed hugging each of them in turn.
"Now you won't have to borrow mine," Emma replied winking at her.
Casselle caressed the dress eager to try it on, "Really thank you it's lovely."
"You're welcome," Lily replied. "Now sit still so we can do your hair and makeup that dress can't be worn with just anything."
Casselle happily complied and sat while Lily worked her wand around her hair and Emma worked on her face. A good forty-five minutes later the two announced that they were done and Casselle returned the favor doing Lily's hair while Emma worked on her makeup then doing Emma's makeup while Lily worked on her hair.
They had twenty minutes to spare by the time they were done and the girls got dressed quickly. Casselle marveled at her reflection in the mirror the dress was snug at the top and revealed a sizable amount of cleavage. It accentuated her small waist and ended mid thigh showing off her long legs. She paired it with the silver heels she had worn to the Valentine's Day ball. Pleased with her own reflection she turned and grinned at her two friends.
Lily was wearing a dark green satin dress. It was sleeveless with a sweet heart neckline flaring out at her hip with a hem that was slightly longer then Casselle's, the color made her eyes sparkle.
Emma was wearing a skin tight red dress with one sleeve and a hem line that put Casselle's to shame.
"Let's take a picture!" Lily announced digging through her trunk and producing an aged muggle camera.
The girls posed grinning at the camera that Lily magiced to take the photo on its own.
"Bring that down to the party!" Casselle laughed smiling at the Polaroid Lily's camera had spit out. "We'll just have to make sure to tell the boys it's off limits."
Lily nodded, "We never really take many picture do we?"
"Nope and I definitely want some memories caught on film from this place," Emma replied snatching the camera and snapping one of Lily when she wasn't looking.
"That's not a toy!" Lily scolded, the effect however was diminished as Casselle and Emma burst into laughter at the Polaroid.
"Honestly sometimes I don't know who's worse, you two or James and Sirius," Lily scoffed shaking her head at her friends.
"Definitely us," Emma replied cheekily dodging that swat Lily aimed at her.
"Come on we don't want to make Casselle late for her own party," Lily announced ushering her two friends out of the dorm and down the stairs to the common room.
The girls joined the boys in finishing decorating for the party, Emma and Lily set to work blowing up some enchanted balloons that James had gotten at Zonko's.
Casselle on the other hand helped Sirius set up the drink table her eyes widening as she took in the crates of firewhiskey and butterbeer the boys had procured.
"Don't you think this is a little much?" She asked setting a couple of bottles on the table while Sirius set out some glasses.
"Well I plan on getting you totally drunk and having my way with you," Sirius teased pinching her bum for good measure. "By the way did I tell you how fit you look in that dress," he leaned forward before adding, "I can't wait to see what you have under it."
Casselle blushed despite herself and slapped him playfully on the arm, "You'll need more than a couple of flashy compliments to see anything of the sort Mr. Black," she teased donning a formal tone.
"Mhmmm I'll just have to try harder then," he purred brushing his lips against her neck.
"Oi you two are supposed to be setting up the drinks not fornicating!" James called scowling at the pair of them.
"Fornicating," Casselle scoffed. "Who's been teaching James big words?"
The group laughed at James's expense which only intensified his scowl.
"Come on let's get a picture before everyone else gets here!" Lily called ushering them all to stand in front of the fire.
"Everyone say Quidditch," James teased causing the others to chuckle in response. The camera went off blinding them all for a moment. Casselle blinked the spots away as the camera spat out the Polaroid, which Sirius grabbed for them.
They gathered around the girls cooing over the picture while the boys teased each other about their cheesy smiles. A couple of photos later the common room began to fill up and the group dispersed mingling with students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Casselle received more birthday wishes then she had in her whole life, though she struggled to remember most of the names the gesture was still appreciated all the same.
"Here you go birthday girl," Sirius exclaimed handing Casselle a glass full of amber liquid.
"What is it?" she asked sniffing the drink.
"The traditional birthday firewhiskey shot," he replied holding up his own glass.
"Ugh this stuff is seriously disgusting," she complained looking down at her drink with renewed dislike.
"Don't be such a baby," Sirius replied. "I brought you this to chase it with," he handed her a butterbeer. "Now on the count of three, one…two…three!"
Casselle threw her shot back grimacing at the burn it left in her throat. She quickly brought the butterbeer to her lips eager to get the taste of the hard liquor out of her mouth.
She downed the bottle and was rewarded with a warm buzz that blossomed from her stomach and went straight to her head. She smiled enjoying the sensation.
"Do you want to dance?" Sirius asked wrapping his arm around her waist.
She nodded pulling him to the makeshift dance floor they had set up earlier. She moved against him to the beat laughing as he pulled her into a dip.
The two danced for awhile, Lily and James joined them after moving easily around the dance floor. Remus on the other hand seemed to be giving Emma the cold shoulder; instead he sat in the corner with Peter and a seventh year Ravenclaw talking.
Emma didn't seem too disheartened however, and promptly asked a tall blonde Hufflepuff seventh year to dance.
Casselle soon found herself breathless and pulled Sirius off the dance floor grabbing another drink. Her face was flushed as the alcohol took effect and she laughed and posed for pictures the better part of the night, getting a few hilarious candid shots of her friends in the process.
Around midnight Sirius pulled her aside handing her another butterbeer and suggesting that they take a walk. Casselle nodded following him out the portrait hole.
"Hold on a minute," she said leaning down to pull off her heels deciding to hold them in her hands. "My feet are killing me."
Sirius laughed taking the shoes from her and holding them aloft in his left hand while he took her other hand in his right.
"Where are we going?" She asked after they turned the corner in the corridor.
Sirius smiled pulling her to a stop, "Right here," he replied sliding down the stone wall and sitting on the floor patting the spot next to him.
Casselle laughed sliding down next to him leaning her head against his shoulder. "Mhmm you smell good," she murmured.
"And I think you might have had one too many butterbeers," Sirius teased brushing a stray hair out of her face.
Casselle smiled, "Weren't you the one saying that you were going to loosen me up so you could have your way with me?" She teased.
Sirius chuckled shaking his head at her, "I have something for you."
"Hmm and what is that?" She asked sitting up as Sirius reached into the pocket of his jeans.
He pulled out a small black box opening it so she could see.
Casselle's eyes widened as she took in the plain white gold band of the ring sitting in the velvet folds of the small box. "Sirius?" She asked glancing up into his stormy grey eyes in alarm her buzz dying on the spot.
He chuckled at her reaction, "Calm down love it's just a ring…well not just a ring but it's not that kind of ring if that's what you were thinking. Well it's not an engagement ring anyway. It's a promise ring Cass…if you'll have it that is. I just wanted you to have something to remind you that I'm in this for the long haul and that I'll always be there for you and that when we decide we're ready for that next step I intend to…well… marry you."
Casselle blinked back an unexpected dampness that had sprung to her eyes at his words, "Oh Sirius of course I'll wear it," she breathed allowing him to take her hand and slip the small ring onto her finger.
"It's goblin made and like most of their things it has certain properties. It's enchanted so that we will always know if the other's safe no matter how far away from each other we are," he explained showing her the identical ring on his own finger. It will alert us if either of us is in mortal danger or if…well if something bad happens."
Casselle gazed down at the ring Sirius had slipped onto her right hand at a loss for words. Her initial shock had been replaced by a deep contentment that spread through her. "Sirius thank you…it means so much to me."
Sirius graced her with a small smile before placing his lips on hers, "You're welcome," he murmured.
"I'm thinking we should go back to the common room," she purred as Sirius's lips moved to her neck.
"My thoughts exactly, the guys decided their present to you would be the use of our room tonight."
Casselle sprang to her feet, "What are we waiting for then!"
Sirius chuckled as he stood and the two ran back to the common room almost running into Lily and James who were making a hasty retreat from the portrait hole.
"Oh ummm we were just…" Lily began her cheeks glowing.
"Yeah us to," Casselle replied grinning at her friend. "Have fun Lils!"
She pulled Sirius past the blushing couple and up into the common room. The pair made a bee line for the boy's dorm room, not pausing to talk to anyone in their haste.
Casselle woke up the next morning and stretched smiling as Sirius's grip tightened around her.
"Morning love," he murmured against her ear.
"Morning," she sighed snuggling against his bare chest. Last night had been one of her best birthdays yet. "What time is it?"
"Seven thirty," he replied wiping a stray hair out of her face.
"And we're up so early why?" she teased.
Sirius chuckled running his hands up and down her back, "I honestly have no idea."
"Mhmm and how long do you think we have before your roommates come to kick us out?"
"I would say at least another hour, maybe two."
"In that case do you want to take a shower?"
"Yes please."
Casselle climbed down the boy's staircase as quietly as she could not wanting to draw unwanted attention to herself. Halfway down she ran into a disgruntled James.
"Oh good you're up," he greeted.
"Yep, thanks for the present by the way. I really liked it," she teased.
James grimaced, "I don't want to think about it."
Casselle laughed and moved past him climbing the rest of the stairs and making her way to her own room.
A week before the Easter holiday Sirius pulled Casselle aside in the common room.
"What do you think about coming home with me for the holiday?"
Casselle's eyebrows rose, the invitation had caught her off guard. "Of course I'll come with you!" She replied her face lighting up at the thought of five days alone with Sirius.
He returned her smile visibly relaxing, "I was really hoping you'd say that," he replied kissing her lightly on the lips.
"You couldn't have been worried I'd say no," she scoffed.
"Well you can never really be one hundred percent certain can you?"
Casselle shook her head, "Our first holiday together."
"And definitely not our last," he replied kissing her again before pulling back. "Now I have to go give James a pep talk."
"For what?"
"I've been sworn to secrecy but I'm sure you'll find out later tonight."
Casselle's eyebrows rose her curiosity growing, "Couldn't I just have a hint?"
"Nope," he replied shooting her a lopsided grin before making his way over to James and pulling him up to their dorm.
Casselle watched him go with a slight frown but she pushed it out of her mind returning to her Transfigurations textbook.
"What was that all about?" Emma asked looking up from her own book.
"Sirius invited me to spend Easter with him," Casselle replied a slow grin spreading across her face.
"Merlin! Cass that's great!" Emma gushed hugging her friend.
"It was a pleasant surprise," Casselle replied returning her friends embrace.
Homework forgotten the two girls began to speculate what Sirius's loft would be like and how they would most likely be spending their Easter.
Casselle looked forward to Easter break with a mixture of emotions. She was excited at the prospect of seeing Sirius's loft and spending the holiday with him, but she couldn't help the pangs of nervousness that churned her stomach when she thought of the approaching holiday.
Five uninterrupted days alone with Sirius, the thought sent a smile to her face.
Lily was an equal mess about the approaching holiday, though for a different reason then Casselle. James had invited her to come for a visit the day after Easter and she was going mad with nerves at the thought of meeting James parents. That had apparently been the secret Sirius had been keeping from her that day.
"What if they don't like me?" She asked as the three girls packed the night before the train would be leaving.
"Lily they would be mad to not like you," Casselle replied not even looking up from her trunk. This conversation had been going on for the past hour and she had given up hope in sating Lily's fears.
"Honestly Lily, James adores you and his parents I assume adore him so they have to love you it's like math or something," Emma called from her bed where she was sitting with the latest copy of witches weekly, her belonging were still strewn about the room.
Casselle chuckled as she slammed her trunk shut, "Done" she announced pleased by the accomplishment.
"Thank Merlin," Emma exclaimed throwing her magazine to the side. "Does that mean we can go do something fun?"
"Don't you think you should pack first?" Casselle asked amusement coloring her tone.
"It will take less than five seconds I can do it in the morning," Emma replied.
"So you're not spending your last night with Remus?" Lily asked looking up from her own trunk.
A flash of emotion crossed Emma's face but she merely shrugged, "You know how Remus is one minute he's all over me and the next….well," she shrugged again before plastering her smile back on her face.
Lily and Casselle shared a look both deciding not to mention it again.
"Well what did you have in mind?" Casselle asked breaking the awkward tension that had descended on the three.
Emma shrugged, "I don't know lets go do something wild, I mean we're almost out of school and soon we have to go get jobs and we'll never be able to go back!"
Casselle grinned amused at Emma's Peter Pan complex, "That didn't really answer the question."
Emma shrugged, "Let's just go where the night takes us…spontaneity and all that."
"Fine," Casselle replied stuffing her wand in the pocket of her jeans and standing, "Lead the way."
The three girls ran from the door laughing as they sprinted past their peers and out of the portrait hole. They didn't stop running until they were out on the grounds, Emma collapsed on the ground next to an ancient willow tree near the black lake.
Casselle joined her on the ground gasping for breath as she stared up at the stars.
"Bloody hell I'm out of shape," Lily panted reclining on her elbows in the cool grass.
Casselle and Emma nodded and the three laid in silence as they caught their breath.
"So what's next Ms Adventure?" Lily asked turning her head to Emma.
"How about a game of truth or dare?" Emma suggested sitting up and crossing her legs.
Casselle nodded smiling, "I'm in you go first Em."
"Okay, hmmmm Lily truth or dare?"
"Truth," Lily responded after a moment's hesitation.
"Have you and James done the dirty yet?" Emma asked a sly smile on her lips. Casselle giggled already knowing the answer but enjoying Lily's discomfort all the same.
Lily flushed her face matching the shade of her hair, "That's private!"
"Lil you have to it's the rules," Casselle pointed out grinning at her friend's embarrassment.
"Fine, no we haven't James is a perfect gentlemen!"
"Code name for total poof," Emma stage whispered to Casselle and the two erupted in giggles while Lily glared at them.
"Casselle truth or dare?" Lily shot ignoring their giggles.
Casselle hesitated before replying, "Dare."
"I dare you to…do a lap around the Quidditch pitch naked," Lily challenged a sly grin spreading across her face.
Emma burst out laughing, "Good one Lil!"
Casselle's cheeks flushed, "What if there's someone watching?"
"Then they get a free show," Emma teased standing and then pulling Casselle to her feet. "It's your own fault you could have picked truth."
Casselle stammered protests the whole way to the Quidditch pitch hoping that her friends would let her out of it, but they held fast insisting she go on with the dare.
"Guys really this is a bad idea," Casselle whined as the three girls stepped on the trim grass of the Quidditch field.
"You are soooo not getting out of this, now strip," Emma commanded.
Casselle uttered another string of protests but Emma and Lily proved to be unrelenting. Casselle sighed moving her hands to her robes. "If I freeze to death I'm blaming you," she hissed.
"You'll be fine you big baby," Lily replied with a laugh.
"Well turn around you perverts," Casselle teased waiting till Lily and Emma were facing the opposite direction before quickly removing her robe and the rest of her clothes. Her teeth began to chatter as she hugged her arms for warmth. "T-t-there," she managed through her chattering teeth feeling like an oversized popsicle.
"You have to do a lap," Lily replied and Casselle could hear the smile in her voice as she said it.
Casselle ground her teeth before starting off at a brisk run hoping that the movement would at least warm up her muscles.
"Hey what are you guys doing out here so late?" James called jogging over to where Lily and Emma stood waiting Sirius, Peter and Remus following on his heels.
Casselle shrieked as she heard the voice diving to the ground and attempting to cover herself.
Emma and Lily broke into unrestrained laughter as James stared in confusion in Casselle's direction taking a couple of steps towards her, "Cass are you alright?" He asked concern coloring his voice.
"S-stay w-where y-y-you are," She yelled. "E-em b-bring me-me m-my c-clothes!"
The boys all turned to Emma and Lily with raised eyebrows, "What's going on?" Sirius asked glancing back towards Casselle.
"Why-why don't you go find out Sirius," Emma gasped doubling over with laughter.
"Just you though," Lily added. "Everyone else best stay here."
The girls erupted in giggles again as Sirius glanced at the others. "I'll go check on her."
He jogged over to where Casselle was crouched on the ground, "Cass what's going o-" he stopped midsentence as he took in his girlfriends appearance.
"Do-don't say any-anything," she hissed, "J-just go-go get m-my cl-clothes before I-I freeze to d-d-death."
Sirius grinned at her, "What on earth are you doing running around naked?"
"Just get the clothes!"
Sirius chuckled as he ran back to the group at the far end of the pitch. "Where are they?" he asked Emma amusement coloring his tone.
Emma pointed behind her to the pile of clothing Casselle had left behind.
James, Remus and Peter followed her finger staring in confusion at the pile of clothes on the ground.
"You can't mean," Remus started his cheeks flushing as realization dawned on him.
"What?" Peter asked glancing between the pile and his friends obviously not understanding.
"Why-why the hell is Dawson running around the grounds bloody naked!" James exclaimed his cheeks coloring as his voice rose with indignation.
Emma and Lily began giggling again and even Sirius chuckled, "That's a question for these two mate. I've got to run these to Cass before she freezes…actually," he paused a sly grin spreading across his face. "I think I'll make her come and get them."
He scooped up her clothes before trotting back down the pitch stopping a good twenty paces away from her, "If you want them you'll have to come get them love."
Casselle stared at him in shock, "Sirius Orion Black, i-if you d-d-don't give me m-my robes t-t-this instant I-I'll…" She couldn't even think of something bad enough to finish her threat.
"You'll have to catch me first!" Sirius called taking off in past the end of the pitch and out onto the grounds.
Casselle stared after him shocked before bounding to her feet, "Don't you dare look!" She yelled at the group on the far end of the pitch before she took off after Sirius.
She sprinted after Sirius who had a considerable head lead; she could barely make out his form as she followed him. I'm going to kill him when I catch him, she thought to herself as her legs began to ach.
Sirius stopped his mad dash next to the willow tree, panting as he turned to watch for Casselle. A minute passed before he saw her. A slow grin spreading across his face as she ran into view, for the first time he appreciated the things running could do for the female anatomy.
"Over here love," he called grinning as she started towards him. Regardless of whatever trouble he was in the view had been well worth it.
"Sirius Orion Black I cannot BELIEVE YOU!" she shrieked storming up to him and snatching the bundle of clothing from him. "Do you know how bloody COLD it is out here!" she ranted hitting him in the chest with a closed fist. "You are such an ASS!" She continued to pound her fist into his chest.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry!" he relented wincing as she struck him. He reached out catching her fist in his hands. "Cass calm down," he soothed attempting to placate her. "Get dressed before you freeze to death."
Casselle glared at him for a moment longer before ripping her hands back and turning to pull her clothes on. Once she was fully clothed she stormed away from him her anger far from gone.
"Cass wait," Sirius called groaning to himself, okay maybe it hadn't been worth it. "Cass," he breathed grabbing her shoulder and turning him to face her. "At least let me give you a heating charm."
Casselle's jaw clenched as she stared at him, "Fine but don't think this means you're forgiven because you're not."
Sirius fought a grin as he muttered the charm watching as Casselle's shivering stopped and a flush appeared back in her cheeks. "Better?"
She merely glared at him in response.
"Come on Cass don't be mad," he whispered pulling her into a hug.
"I have every right to be mad," she grumbled against his chest knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay angry for long.
"Come on I only did it to watch you run," he teased. "And trust me I wasn't disappointed."
Casselle laughed despite herself, "You're such a perv!" she screeched shoving him playfully.
"Say what you will but that memory will stay with me until the day I die."
Casselle shook her head her anger gone, "I don't know how I'll ever be able to face James, Remus or Peter ever again."
"It was too dark for them to see anything, trust me I wouldn't have let you move if there was a chance of that."
"Still," she moaned her cheeks coloring.
"What were you doing running around the Quidditch pitch naked?"
"Ugh we were playing truth or dare and me and Emma laughed at Lily and I guess this was her way of getting revenge…which I'll kill her for later."
Sirius chuckled, "Come on they're probably waiting for us."
He pulled Casselle back to the Quidditch pitch and towards their group of friends who were now sitting in the soft grass waiting.
"Finally!" Emma called turning to watch them as they came closer. "I see you got your clothes back."
Casselle kept her eyes trained on the ground her cheeks a darker red then Lily's hair.
"So I hear you lot were playing a game," Sirius replied sitting down next to Emma and pulling Casselle with him. "Well come on let's keep playing…I'll go for Cass since she seems a little indisposed at the moment…"
And the group continued the game the dares getting wilder as everyone tried to top Lily. The end result was James in the lake trying to get close enough to kiss the Giant Squid and at the sight of James floundering in the water Casselle forgot about her embarrassment and laughed along with the others.
Casselle awoke the next morning to Emma frantically rushing around their dorm room attempting to pack her trunk before they had to leave for the train.
"Emmmmma!" Casselle moaned covering her head with a pillow in an attempt to drown out the noise.
"It's your fault you should have made me do more last night!" Emma groaned throwing a pile or dirty robes into her trunk.
Casselle rolled her eyes sitting up and running a hand through her disheveled hair, "What time is it?" she croaked.
"Eight," Emma called from the bathroom where she was throwing her toiletries into a bag.
"Eight!" Casselle repeated, "When have any or us ever been up at eight….much less you Em."
"To much to doooo," the other girl moaned.
"What is all the racket about!" Lily grumbled sitting up and ripping the hangings around her four poster open.
"Em's in a state cause she didn't finish any of her packing," Casselle replied swinging her legs over the side of her bed and skipping to the bathroom. As long as she was up she was going to make the best of it.
After a long shower Casselle emerged from the bathroom feeling clean and eager to start her vacation. Her eyes widened as she took in the barren room, "Well that was fast," she muttered shooting Emma a grin.
"Well you know me," Emma replied, "I do everything fast and efficiently," she waggled her eyebrows for emphasis and the two shared a laugh.
"Where's Lily?" Casselle asked glancing around the room.
"She went down to breakfast, said she'd save us a seat."
Casselle nodded, "Well then what are we waiting for?"
Breakfast passed without any excitement and it was soon time for everyone to board to Hogwarts Express. Casselle grabbed a compartment with Sirius and the others the first hint of butterflies appearing in her stomach. She was going to have five uninterrupted days with Sirius.
Sirius squeezed her hand, almost as if he could sense her anxiety and she shot him a grateful smile returning the pressure.
The trip from Hogwarts passed by in a blur and it seemed the trip only lasted five minutes before Sirius was ushering her off the train and unto the platform. Casselle pulled away moving over to Lily and Emma. "Have a good Easter," she murmured hugging each of them in turn.
"You to," Lily replied grinning at her.
"Yea try to get some rest over break will you Casselle?" Emma teased grinning at her friend. "And of course you have to give us a low down of Sirius's place the moment we get back."
Casselle laughed, "Of course," she replied hugging each of them again. "See you soon!" She called over her shoulder as she made her way back to Sirius.
"Ready?" He asked smiling down at her.
"Ready," she replied returning the smile and gripping his hand with in her own.
Hope you enjoyed!