A.N. Sorry for the long wait. Stupid computer was acting up. My computer is ancient : (

It can't take all the data coming in and basically had a melt down O.o Anyways, on with the story!

Chapter II

Albus Dumbledore was going over the list of first years students who would be attending fall term. Those whom were Muggleborn, or living with Muggle relations, or ignorant of their magical background would be met by an alumni to explain and reassure the child and family. This list was already drawn up by Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress. Now it was up to Dumbledore to inform the alumni which lived closest to the child.

Remembering last year when Minerva had come to him shocked, showing him the list of Muggleborns. He had been almost as startled to as she to see the name Dudley Dursley. Minerva assured him that she'd checked the register three times to be sure. There was no mistake. Dudley Dursley was a wizard.

Albus had debated for a full week who would be best to inform Mrs. Petunia Dursley that her precious son was a wizard, before deciding it would be best if he himself went. He had already planned on going to that particular area since another Muggleborn resided there. He had first gone to see the Granger's before the Dursley's.

When he informed the two Dursleys about Dudley's magic, Albus was watching them both closely. Petunia was in shock and at first vehemently denied her son was a wizard. Dudley on the other hand did not seemed as surprised as his mother and winced when Petunia called wizards and witches, "Freaks". Eventually, Petunia agreed to let Dudley attend Hogwarts. Most of the persuading had actually been done by her son.

Once at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was pleased to see the boy seemed to be enjoying himself. The boy had already been friends with Ms. Granger as they had attended the same primary private school. The two had become friends with Neville Longbottom on the train. And last Halloween during the troll incident the three had become friends with Ronald Weasley as well.

The flames in his fireplace flared green for a moment then Severus stepped through. Looking up glad for a distraction from his paperwork, he smiled at the ever present scowl on the dour man's face. "Ah, Severus. Has the Ministry found anything?"

Wordlessly Severus handed over the letter that had seen better days. Before he could ask where it came from and whom, the potions master told him.

"Cassian Ashwood, you say? How did he appear to be?"

Severus narrowed his eyes noticing the headmaster made no move to touch the unopened envelope. Seeing the ever present twinkle in the man's eyes wasn't as brilliant as it usually was made him curious. The headmaster really was interested. Scowling, Severus tried to think why the Ashwood boy looked so familiar. Not able to recall, he recounted his meeting with the boy, observing the animation spell, and their conversation. He concluded with, "Besides a lack of appropriate attire he seems fine."

Strangely, that information relieved the older man piquing Severus' curiosity further. Seeing his look, Albus leaned back in his chair, fingers steeled in thought, eyes on the envelope on the desk. "You recall the surname, I'm sure?"

A nod. "Markale Ashwood was sent to Azkaban to suffer the dementors kiss."

"Ah, yes. The Ministry tried to keep it all quiet as much for Cassian's sake as well as Fudge's career. It wouldn't look too well first year in office and he was the cause of the death of Ashwood."

Severus' brows rose. This was something he hadn't heard. He had known Markale Ashwood had been a fellow Death Eater under the guise of an Auror of the Ministry's Hit Wizards. When he was unmasked and exposed during a raid he injured and killed Death Eaters and Aurors alike to escape. He disappeared seeming to have dropped off the face of the earth. Then about two years ago he resurfaced and had been identified while shopping at an apothecary shop.

Dumbledore looked from the envelope to Severus. "When the Aurors tried to detain Ashwood, he fought back and forced them to kill him. Some months later Lucretia Ashwood, Markale's mother, was killed. Cassian was witness but for months afterwards the boy was at St. Mungo's under observation. He wouldn't speak, move, or show any emotion. He didn't eat unless he was told, as well as all other nessasities. It was if the boy was no longer, just an empty shell remained."

The headmaster told Severus how he'd first met Cassian at the Ministry where the boy was to give testimony. The boy had sat in the chair unmoving, face an emotionless mask. As he talked, Cassian's voice never wavered or changed from its emotionless matter of fact tone. The look in his strange eyes was expressionless, empty, dead looking with nothing behind it. Overall, his entire being screamed apathy.

Since Cassian was an only child the Ministry tried to find any family or relations that might take the boy in. Dumbledore had petitioned for temporary guardianship until the Ministry found anyone to care for the child. Meanwhile, Cassian would be at Hogwarts since he was almost of age to start wizarding school. He had also wanted to keep an eye on the emotionally damaged child.

Before the Ministry could come to a decision, Cassian had fled St. Mungo's. When the boy disappeared, not a trace of his pressance was detected. Apparently, Markale had taught his son how to avoid detection and capture.

"The Aurors couldn't locate Cassian even when his magical signature was detected. He always seemed to be able to leave and was never in the same place more than twice."

"Until recently."

Albus looked at the younger man with a serious expression, blue eyes piercing. Softly, as if talking to himself he querried, "I cannot help but wonder what happened to change his mind?"

"You're going to go see him aren't you?" It was more a statement than a question.

The twinkle appeared in those eyes again as he replied, "Of course."

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Minerva McGonagall counted herself as a friend of Albus Dumbledore whom she trusted and admired. She also respected him but did not claim to understand many of the things he did. One of which was agreeing to come talk to the Ashwood boy. The woman didn't believe that whole rubbish about the apple not falling far from the tree business. Yet, in some cases it was more than accurate. Minerva was just as curious to see how the boy turned out and his sudden interest in re-joining the magical world.

Which was why she was currently in her animagus form crouched in the bushes. She'd been there most of the morning and afternoon as she watched the house and its occupants. Presently as far as she could determine about eight boys were living there as well as the parents. He boys ranged from six to seventeen.

Hissing and bristeling, McGonagall glared at a pair of wrestling boys whom reminded her of the Weasley twins. The duo had almost crashed into her bush and exposing her. Distracted, she didn't see the other boy until he was right in front of her. He squatted down on his heels and held out a bowel of warm milk.

"I don't know if cats prefer their milk warm or cold, but this bowel's warm."

Setting it down, the boy's unusual golden-green eyes watched her as he moved back a little. McGonagall had only seen eyes that color on cats and snakes. The boy scratched a raven brow and sighed seeing that she didn't even so much as sniff at the bowel. "I guess you don't like milk? I'd give you fish, but we don't have any."

Lapsing into silence the boy frowned in thought pulling out a small sketchbook from a side pocket. Flipping through the pad he opened it to a page and showed it to her. Face and voice serious with no trace of a smile or amusement he asked her, "Do you like it?"

It was of McGonagall's tabby animagus form. It was of her crouched in the bushes as she had been all day. She hadn't even seen him except for once briefly. Apparently he had known she was there for quite awhile.

Ears twitching she looked beyond the boy to see an older boy in his teens sneaking up on him. "Hey, Freak!"

Cassian turned but wasn't fast enough to dodge the fist. It hit him in the face and without so much as a whimper or tear, he fell but sat up and blinked. The teen smirked smugly down at him. Cassian spat a bit of blood mixed with his saliva. Working his mouth he stood. "What now, Ralph?"

"Ralph!"

Both boys turned to see Riley who was jogging up to them. Giving Ralph a warning look the seventeen year old stated, "If you don't do your laundry I'm throwing the lot in the trash."

Ralph glared at him. "Is that why you came outside?"

"No. Mom wants to speak with you, but I'm serious about tossing your clothes out."

Ralph sneered and walked away while Cassian sighed not appreciating the elder teen's help. He knew that's why Riley really came over. Riley though he was helping but Cassian knew Ralph would just corner him somewhere else when Riley wasn't around.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine," Cassian surpressed his irritation, barely.

"You're going to have one heck of a bruise."

Cassian shrugged. Truth be told he'd had beatings way worse than nay Ralph dished out. Checking to make sure his sketchbook was alright he sat back down surprised that the cat was still there not appearing to have moved at all.

Riley sat down next to him indicating the pad. "Can I see?"

Shrugging again, Cassian handed the drawing pad over. The teen looked through it with interest. Flipping to Harry's favorite drawing he asked, "Where do you come up with these?"

"A dream I had when I was little." It was said softly and in a much different tone of voice then he usually used.

Riley looked over at him. Cassian looked zoned out. Harry knew that like him, Cassian was trying really hard to remember. The drawing was of a giant on a motorcycle, Big Ben and the clouds in the background with stars.

A woman's scream had the boys' head whip around to stare at the house. Jake, Cassian's roommate came flying out the back door a huge grin on his face. On his heels were the boys' foster mother. She threateningly brandished a broom yelling at the boy then angrily went back inside.

Jake collapsed next to his roommate, ignoring Riley's pressance altogether. The teen gave the pad back to Cassian, dusted his jeans off, and went inside. No doubt to find out what Jake had done to upset the woman.

Raising an eyebrow at Jake who grinned then began to laugh. When he was able to breathe he sat up and pulled something out of his pocket. He tossed it to Cassian who's reaction was quicker then his mind. He caught it and looked at it. It was a dead mouse. Or rather it looked like one. It was fake but hard to tell the difference.

"I put it on the counter next to the tea. You shoulda seen her expression!" Then Jake cracked up laughing again. Cassian shook his head. Tossing the toy into Jake's lap, he said, "Be right back."

Cassian went up to their room putting his sketch pad away. Grabbing a baseball cap he went back outside. His mouth twitched to see Jake trying to get the cat to play with the toy. Spotting him, Jake put the mouse in his pocket, stood, and grinned. "Whelp, let's go!"

Nodding, Cassian set the cap on his head and donned his sunglasses as they headed for the street. 'You know,' Cassian commented to Harry. 'There's something funny about that cat.'

McGonagall watched them leave then a car pulled into the driveway. It was the foster father and two of the boys. A second car pulled up and a woman in a business suit got out. The man led her inside leaving the two boys to unload the groceries. Shortly afterwards Dumbledore apperated. He looked right at the bush she was hiding in. The witch decided it was a good time to leave.

Dumbledore looked up at the two story home. It was in pretty good condition. There was a homemade clay wind chime hanging on one corner of the wrap around porch. A brass knocker shaped like a sun was directly in the middle of the door. Rapping the knocker twice, he waited.

The door was opened by a freckle faced boy of six with wide brown eyes. The child's mouth gaped then finally formed the words, "Are you a wizard?"

"Why, do I look like one?" Dumbledore smiled down at him, blue eyes twinkling merrily.

"Yup. You look like the wizard Cass drawed for me."

"Alex, who are you talking to?"

"A wizard!" the boy exitedly shouted behind him.

"What?" A woman with ash blond hair and medium height came to the doorway behind the boy. She looked Dumbledore over curiously before extending her hand. "Hello, I"m Janice Jenkins."

"Albus Dumbledore. I sent a letter-"

"Oh! Come in please." She stepped aside holding the door. "Sorry about Alex. He's quite into fantasy."

"That's quite alright."

"Alex, go finish folding laundry with Felix." Then to Dumbledore, "Would you care for some tea?"

"I would appreciate a cup, thank you."

Mrs. Jenkins smiled, showing him into the kitchen. The kitchen was neat save for the refrigerator. It was entirely covered in childish drawings and coloring from color books.

"Gingersnaps?" Mrs. Jenkins opened a tin and proffered it to him. "Cassian's very smart, but I guess it comes from him reading all the time."

Mrs. Jenkins beamed as a proud mother would. Dumbledore smiled back feeling hope seeing the woman's expression. Dumbledore, having heard Severus' report, wanted to not only speak and see the boy, but those that were caring for him.

"Could you tell me a bit about Cassian?"

Smiling though sadly, Mrs. Jenkins looked into her tea, both hands cradling the cup. "Like I said, he's very smart, but he's also kind and understanding of the younger children. He's the politest boy I've ever fostered. The only one who does his chores without compliant or being asked."

She stopped talking and gave Dumbledore a look of hope and sadness. "You said he has a place at your school. Will there be children like Cassian there? He'll be able to make friends and be happy?"

"I assure you there most definitely is a place for Cassian if he wishes to attend. He'll make friends with others like himself and it'll be like home."

Nodding, looking relieved, the woman smiled. "Good, he needs that." Biting her lip she blurted, "I should tell you now before you meet him, that Cassian's a bit.... odd."

Dumbledore had a sense of deja'vu. Gently he asked, "In what way?"

"Well, he prefers his own company to others. Of course it could be because he prefers books over people. I've yet to see him play like a normal child."

"I see," he replied quietly.

The two adults went upstairs to the boys' floor, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins' bedroom was on the first floor. Halfway up the staircase Riley shouted, "Woman on the floor!"

There was a cry of "Ah!" and a door or two slammed shut. Riley grinned and rubbed his ear. "Frankie just got out of the shower."

"Thank you, Riley."

The teen nodded as he went past then downstairs. Albus saw small white boards hanging on the bedroom doors. The names of the occupants and their chores was written on it.

Knocking on the first door on the left, she opened it and frowned. "This is his room, but he's not here. That's strange. He knew he had an interview with you today."

Dumbledore took a look inside the room. There was a bed on either side of the room. The left half was plastered with posters and messy. The bed was rumpled and unmade, comic books littered the whole half of that side of the room. A typical child's room. The other side of the room was its polar opposite. The bed was made neatly without so much as a wrinkle. The floor was clean and tidy. In fact it was devoid of decoration or feeling. It looked as if it was waiting to be occupied.

Taking a glance at the door he saw that two boys were indeed assigned to the room. Riley was coming up the stairs a can of soda in hand, as they exited the room.

"Riley, have you seen Cassian?"

The teen made a face. "Yeah, he's in the office with dad. Ralph and Jake are there too."

"Thank you."

He nodded then asked, "I've got a date tonight. Can I borrow the car?"

"Of course, but you know the rules."

"Thanks, mom!"

The two adults went back downstairs and Mrs. Jenkins showed Dumbledore to her husband's study. Inside were the three boys, Mr. Jenkins, and a woman in a business suit. The eldest teen Ralph was sullen, eyes angry, and crossed arms. The second a year younger sat slumped in his chair, eyes on a spot on the wall. Lastly was Cassian who sat as if he weren't being yelled at or reprimanded.

"Excuse, me dear. This is Mr. Dumbledore. He had-"

Mr. Jenkins motioned to Cassian. "Go to your interview,but we're not done, you here me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, go."

"Yes, sir." Cassian stood and went to were Dumbledore and Mrs. Jenkins were. Cassian led the wizard outside to the garden bench under a tree. Sitting, the boy said, "So, the potions master gave you my letter."

"He did. Though you explained yourself well, I still have a few questions for you."

The boy nodded. "I thought as much." Then almost as an afterthought, "Am I in trouble?"

"Not that I am aware."

Dumbledore watched the boy's body language closely and saw no change. Seeing this, the old wizard knew that either the boy didn't care if he was in trouble or not, or he already knew the answer before he asked. The boy leaned against the trunk of the tree and removed the sunglasses. Eyes closed, he hung the glasses from his shirt collar, pressing his hands to his eyes.

"Your eyes are still sensative to the light?"

Cassian nodded opening his eyes slowly and blinking a few times. "Mostly its floresent and halogen lights I can't stand."

"Ah."

Those unusual golden-green eyes looked over at him and though Dumbledore was dismayed to see they were guarded and closed, he felt hopeful. At least there was something there rather than nothing as was the case before and what he'd fear he'd see.

"Cassian, I was rather curious as to why you left St. Mungo's. Surely, you knew the Ministry was looking for any living relatives or willing family to take you in?"

The boy's eye twitched at the word family then a venomous filled glare was directed at the man. It was there only for a few seconds than his eyes darted to the right, blinked once, and looked away, face and eyes guarded and closed once more.

"I do need to know the reason, Cassian."

Cassian sat silently, uncertainty written clearly on his face after his eyes looked to his right. As the boy pondered, Dumbledore could see a lot was going on behind those shuttered eyes. Dumbledore was curious as to the boy's eyes flickering to his right side, seeming to have come to a decision. Cassian looked down at the grass, longish bangs shadowing his eyes.

"I felt like I was confined, suffocating... I couldn't stand it. I was … lost."

Dumbledore didn't push the boy as Cassian tried to vocalize his thoughts and state of mind he'd been in.

"It's kind of blurry and I don't really remember much." Cassian fell silent and the man knew that was all he would say.

"Do you like it here?"

Cassian looked up at him, confusion written all over his face. He didn't understand then shrugging replied, "It's a place to stay and at times, better than the streets."

Dumbledore felt a pang of sadness that the boy could speak so casually. "How would you like to live at Hogwarts with me as your temporary guardian? Until the Ministry can find a more permanent solution?"

Dumbledore was surprised at the cold hardness that entered the boy's face and eyes. Slowly, the boy got himself under control and he shook his head no.

"May I ask why not?"

The boy stood, sunglasses in hand, eyes and voice full of ice, Cassian replied, " I don't like you."