A.N. So, here's the second chapter I promised. Return the favor and check out my profile and vote on my poll : )

Chapter III

Scowling, Severus Snape waited in the living room wondering not for the first time why fate seemed to dislike him so much. It seemed to amuse itself by continually disrupting his holidays to make him deal with a brat before term even started. He was sincerely beginning to regret ever going to that Muggle shopping square and was sure the feeling would only grow.

Looking at the clock his frown deepened. For the past twenty or thirty minutes he'd been waiting for the brat to show up. One of Severus' peeves was people who wasted his time; time that could be better spent on more productive things.

He didn't understand why Dumbledore couldn't come get the brat himself. Looking at the clock again when the boy finally came down the stairs. Severus felt his scowl deepen at the sight of the boy's clothes. Cassian just looked at him asking, "What?"

Cassian had actually dressed semi-normal for a change. Yet Severus still disliked how the boy dressed like a Muggle hoodlum. The boy's clothes were in definite need of mending but with these fads, the man had no idea if the clothes were supposed to look that way or not. The blue jeans were frayed and had rips in the knees and leg. The long sleeved green shirt had torn cuffs that the boy stuck his thumbs through. The light gray t-shirt had a ripped collar and grass stained. To complete his ensemble was a black zip up hoodie that had the sleeves removed.

"My other clothes are in the wash."

Severus set a brisk pace which Cassian was able to match without compliant. As they walked, Severus glanced back at him stating, "It would be prudent if you didn't wear that anywhere in the magical world."

There was no need for him to clarify what 'that' was. Cassian smiled and taking off his cap fiddled with the patch then put it back on. An acid green alien head patch was in the place where the offending one had been. At the man's look, he smiled innocently back and shoved his hands into his vest pockets.

The two went to the Underground and waited for their tube to come. It had been the potion professor's idea to get Cassian's school supplies before going to the castle. This way, he wouldn't have to make a second trip (Severus had to pick a few things up in Diagon Alley) and he'd have his wand for the practical tests. Dumbledore didn't know Cassian had had a wand since he was about eight.

Their tube came and they boarded. From the moment they left the Jenkins' Cassian didn't speak to the professor unless he was spoken to. Outwardly, Cassian looked bored, and he was a bit, but behind his sunglasses he watched the man as a hunter would his prey.

'Why do you think the geezer sent the Death Eater?' Cassian turned to see Harry watching the people around them. Harry frowned at the term geezer. He kind of liked Dumbledore which made Cassian frown.

"Maybe because you told him you didn't like him? Severus is the only wizard we've let see us and talk to in the last year."

Tearing his eyes from the dour man he glared at Harry. 'It was your idea to disappear from the wizarding world for a bit!'

Harry sighed, knowing that when Cassian got like this it was best to either distract him or shut up and hope he forgot. Except, Harry knew that Cassian hardly forgot and never forgave. Sighing again, Harry looked out the window since it was boring to watch the processor read his book.

Cassian stayed silent refusing to talk to Harry until Severus led them to the Leaky Cauldron. They went to the back door into an alley. Both boys stared wondering why they were in an alley. Maybe to Disapparate or portkey? When the man pulled out his wand, Harry and Cassian flinched, Cassian instinctively flexed his left wrist which loosed his wand from the holster on his forearm.

All Severus did though was tap the brick wall so an archway appeared. The boys stared at the bustling activity on the other side of the wall. Stepping through Cassian felt his mouth go dry and every nerve in his body went on alert, as anxiety built. Normally, He didn't mind small crowds since it meant an easy way to escape and blend in with the crowd when he and Jake were running from the police. It was only when the crowd of people was so thick that it was unavoidable to brush against someone that Cassian felt as if he was suffocating.

Besides the Ministry, Cassian and Harry hadn't been anywhere there had been so many witches and wizards. The two hadn't really been anywhere save the Ashwood state, the streets of London, the Jenkins'. They'd lived an isolated existence before the death of Markale Ashwood and his mother. Growing up, Cassian only had Harry for company. Occasionally, the son of his father's friend would come over on the holidays. Sometimes, Cassian would go to his house.

Letting out a deep breath, he followed the professor to the largest bank he'd ever seen. Harry's eyes went wide as his head turned that way and this trying to see everything. Inside the bank, Cassian was happy no one else could see Harry or hear him. Harry pointed at a creature asking, "What are those?"

'Goblins. Didn't you hear Snape's explanation?'

Snape had pulled him aside before they entered and told Cassian not to stare at the goblins. It was very rude. Cassian rolled his eyes. He knew what it felt like to have people staring at you and he hated it. Always had and probably always would.

Going t the desk a goblin asked for proof he was the Ashwood heir and Cassian handed over the Ashwood ring. Nodding, the goblin gave it back and called another goblin over. The humans followed him to what looked like an old mining cart. Sitting inside, Cassian clenched the sides tightly as it started to move and pick up speed. Harry whooped, enjoying the insane ride. Emerald green eyes shining he stepped out a little disappointed that it was over.

Cassian was happy it was over not wanting to ever do that again. Glancing over to the professor he was glad to see that he wasn't the only one to be feeling that way. Pulling himself together he stood behind the goblin as he opened the vault. Once the green smoke cleared, Cassian and Harry stared. It was a fortune in coins and rare objects.

Taking a coin bag he filled it then went to the cart with a resigned sigh. To the goblin he asked, "I don't suppose there's any other way back up?"

The goblin looked at him as if he were slow. Sighing, Cassian got in mumbling, "Thought not."

Another fast and nauseating ride later, Cassian stepped back outside into the sunny crowded streets. He had managed to convince the Potions Master he didn't need a babysitter and could shop on his own. The man agreed and they parted coming to the decision to meet in the Leaky Cauldron when they were through.

Walking leisurely along Diagon Alley, Cassian looked around with interest at all the shops and people. Seeing a second hand robe shop he went in. Finding a few robes that were in good condition, he was satisfied they would fit even if he grew a few inches during the school year.

'Harry, should we get that one too?'

When Harry didn't answer, Cassian looked over to see what was drawing his attention. Harry was staring at a red headed plump woman talking to a girl with equally red hair about his age.

Cassian froze for a moment as a different red headed woman flashed in his mind. Her hair was long and she had eyes the exact shade of green as Harry's. That was all he could recall of her except for the feeling she gave him. The feeling of warmth, comfort, and protectiveness. Feelings he hadn't ever had except with her.

As if sensing his gaze, the woman looked up and over at him. Cassian quickly looked away. The roves in his, Cassian hastily went to the counter and payed for them. Politely he asked the wizard to shrink his purchase not seeing the sympathetic look Mrs. Weasley was gave him.

Cassian ran into the two Weasleys a few times in other shops. They literally ran into each other at the Apothecary. The Weasleys were exiting as he was entering.

"Are you alright, dear?"

"Yes'm, sorry."

Cassian helped pick up the woman's packages, apologized again, then stepped around her into the shop. He bought the standard potions kit and a few extra items. The Apothecator raised a brow but sold him the sonel and Ladies' Slipper root. Thanking the man, Cassian went to Madam Malkins then having gotten everything but his books, headed for Flourish and Blotts.

Both Harry and Cassian halted seeing the large crowd which was mostly women. Harry saw the sign first and pointed. Cassian thought, 'So the old fraud is still in business.'

Cassian didn't believe anything Lockhart said. Wanting to know why his grandmother was so fascinated with him, Cassian read one of the man's books. There were terrible. There were holes in his story so wide you could fly an owl through them!

"Come on," Harry urged. "I wanna see him in person."

Sighing, Cassian followed Harry into the crowd. Quickly grabbing the books on the list Severus gave him, which were the first year course books as well as the Standard Book of Spells Grade 2. Meandering through the shelves he also added a few books that piqued his interest. Cassian refused to purchase any of Lockhart's books.

Cassian seeing free space by a blond haired boy on the stairs headed in that direction then paused as their eyes met. There was shock, confusion, and a mix of joy and hurt in the blond's sliver-gray eyes. Cassian could see the questions bubbling up in the other boy but he seemed to know that now was not the time and kept quiet.

Lockhart began his speech about being the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. That was all Cassian heard before he felt horror. What kind of man was Dumbledore to let an idiot like that around impressionable children?

Spotting the Weasleys, Draco descended the stairs to harass Ron. Cassian watched letting his eyes travel over the red headed family to the bushy haired girl and rested on the dark blond haired boy with them. The boy was familiar and it caused Cassian to frown. Before he could voice query to Harry, his eyes were drawn to the commotion of Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy scuffling. A giant of a man broke them up.

The Malfoys left the shop while Cassian went to the register. He stopped and focused on what the man was saying. "... Rotten to the core, the whole family, everyone knows that-no Malfoy's worth listen' ter- bad blood, that's what it is-come on now, let's get outta here."

As the group shuffled out, Ginny and Hermione looked back and saw Cassian. He was gazing at Hagrid and it was cold and hard. Ginny shivered while Hermione frowned before hurrying to catch up to the Weasleys.

At the Leaky Cauldron the Weasley family went to the fireplace to floo home. Hermione and Dudley were going to go outside into Muggle London. They waited though to say goodbye to the Weasleys. The children were surprised to see their Potions professor there. He was sitting at a table reading a newspaper, a half empty cup to his right.

"What do you think Snape's doing here?" Dudley asked.

"Maybe he wanted Lockhart's autograph?" Ron joked.

Cassian looked around the Leaky Cauldron and saw Snape. Going over to him, he set the school supplies on the table. Severus set his paper down eyeing the packages. "You have everything?"

"Yes, sir."

They went toward where Dudley and the Grangers were. The two Hogwarts students quickly stepped aside to let their professor through the door. Harry tugged on Cassian's sleeve.

'What?'

"I think we know him."

'Who?' Cassian turned his head to look where Harry was pointing. It was the boy with bushy haired girl. He frowned trying to remember but Snape's hand on his shoulder broke his concentration. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Cassian nodded letting the man know he was ready. Harry wasn't but clung like a leech anyway, shutting his eyes tightly.

Feeling the sensation of Disapparating, Cassian grimaced shutting his eyes as well. Opening his eyes when they Apparated, he felt happy to be able to keep his lunch in his stomach. He knew he looked as green as Harry who mumbled, "I hate Apparating."

'Yeah, well portkey and floo powder aren't much better.'

"Says you."

Severus looked at the boy's ashy skin and sick expression. "Alright?"

"Yes, sir." Cassian fell in step with the man. "Sir? Where are we?"

Cassian and Harry were both looking around and both were curious about the village.

"Hogsmede. It's a Magical community. You'll be able to visit when you're a third year."

They didn't talk as they made their way up to the castle. Or at least the man didn't talk, but Harry and Cassian talked to each other. Mainly about Hogwarts.

'What do you think Hogwarts will be like?' Cassian asked.

"Dunno. Sounds fun though from what grandma said."

'Mm, but her fun isn't what others would find fun, I think.'

Giving Cassian a look between a glare and a pout he muttered, "You gotta suck the fun outta everything?"

'Only returning the favor.'

Ignoring the tongue stuck out at him, Cassian paused near the entrance of the castle. He looked up the looming castle and Harry breathed out, "Wow."

Cassian only nodded. Hearing stories about Hogwarts and reading about it did not prepare you to actually being there looking at it. Seeing that Snape was still walking, they hurried to quickly catch up. The man didn't slow down until they stood in front of a stone gargoyle.

Snape scowled at the statue as if it were mocking him. Remembering the name of the Muggle sweet Dumbledore had chosen as the password he quickly said, "Pixie Stix."

The stairs began to climb and Severus gestured that the boy should go up. Severus on the other hand was going to return to his dungeons. His part was over now, let Dumbledore deal with the brat.

Licking his lips, Cassian took a breath, released it, then climbed the stairs behind Harry. In situations like these Harry always naturally took the lead and Cassian followed. Just as he was going to knock on the door, he was told to come in.

'How'd he know?' Cassian mouthed to Harry. Harry just shrugged in response and went to open the door. Sighing, Cassian followed. Setting his packages on the floor by his seat, Cassian removed his cap setting it down on the desk. Looking around he took his sunglasses off as well, hanging them from his collar. The lighting wasn't that bad, not irritating his eyes at all.

"Would you care for some tea or a lemon drop?"

"I'd like tea, thank you."

Smiling, Dumbledore handed a cup to the boy and leaned back sipping his own. Cassian wrapped his hands around the cup and slowly took a drink. He let it sit on his tongue as he identified it as Jasmine and Honeysuckle, then swallowed it. It was something Markale and grandmother had done. Have him identify the ingrediants in whatever he ate or drank.

Harry meandered around the office looking but not touching all the gizmos, doo-dads, and contraptions. Seeing a bird cage he went over and called over to Cassian, "Look, he's got a bird."

Harry canted his head to the side eyes widening when the bird's eyes followed his movements. "Cassian!"

'It's a phoenix,' Cassian said setting his tea cup down. Getting up he joined Harry by the bird. "Beautiful."

Dumbledore smiled at the breathless way the word came out and the undisguised awe on the boy's face. "what do you know about phoenixes?"

"They're reborn from their ashes and a powerful symbol in the Muggle world."

"Yes, they are as fascinated with phoenixes as we are. Phoenixes can carry immensly heavy loads, their tears have curative powers, and they make highly faithful pets."

"Can they see things most people don't?"

Dumbledore couldn't see the boy's expression since he moved to where his back was to the man. Cassian's voice was soft, and there was something in the boy's tone that he couldn't place.

Abruptly, he changed the subject. "Where do I take these tests?"

Dumbledore informed the boy that the written test he could take here in the office. The practicle tests would be performed here as well save for the potion's part which would take place in Snape's classroom, and the Herbology would be done in the greenhouse.

"There is also the matter of which House to place you in."

Cassian blinked, face unreadable. Dumbledore pointed to the school's Sorting Hat sitting on one of the shelves. The boy studied the hat as the wizard continued.

"The Sorting Hat can see inside your mind and character to figure out which House would suit you better. Have your father or grandmother ever told you about it?"

"No, sir. Markale went to Durmstrang. Grandmother...well...." Cassian shrugged.

"The four houses are named after the founders of Hogwarts." The man explained each house's founder, their animal, colors, and the characteristics each house was mainly known for. Cassian and Harry listened intently mulling the information over.

"It is customary to be Sorted at the start of term in your first year. Since this is an unusual circumstance, I'll let you choose. Which would you prefer? To be Sorted start of term or here in my office?"

"May I think about it? Give you my answer before I go back to the Jenkins'?"

"Of course."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Going over the boy's exam paper for Potions, Severus' brow creased. Most of the questions were of first and second year level. Those the boy had answered correctly. The rest of the questions were ones Severus had thrown in to see how much the boy knew.

Cassian's knowledge covered most if not all the first and second years. After that, his knowledge became erratic. From what Dumbledore told him, that was the case in all the subject matters. He was all over the place in the practicles as well. Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration he did well in. Herbology was average. His worst subject was History of Magic.

"Professor Snape?"

"Have a seat, Ashwood."

They were in the first year dungeon, Severus had already placed all the ingrediants the boy would need on the table. The instructions for the Forgetfulness Potion was on the board as well.

The man watched from his desk as he made up his N.E.W.T. Sylabis. The boy read the directions carefully a few times then began to arrange his ingrediants. He set the flame at the proper temperature and set his cauldron on it. Cassian was very methodical and had a decent potion when Severus came to check.

Hands in his vest pockets, Cassian took his time walking back to the headmaster's office. Stopping at the base of a statue outside the Great Hall he stared. It was of a wizard holding what looked like Hogwarts in one hand. At his feet were a lion, snake, and badger. The animals of the founders. While he was looking for the eagle he knew had to be there somewhere, he asked Harry, "So, what do we do?"

Harry pondered for a moment. "I don't really want to stand in front of everybody."

"Neither do I. But people are bound to notice a new kid in a House that wasn't Sorted, right?"

"I suppose."

"So, I guess the question is, which way will be less ackward?"

"Cassian? Are you lost?"

Both boys' head snapped around to see Dumbledore watching Cassian over his half moon spectacles. Swallowing nervously, Cassian wondered how long he'd been standing there. How much of his and Harry's conversation did he speak aloud?

"No, sir."

"Have you made a decision, then?"

"Yes, sir. I'd rather wait if it's all the same."

Dumbledore nodded. Cassian followed the man back to his office. Once there, Cassian collected his packages and was taken back to the home. Cassian put all his school things in his footlocker and locked it with more that a Muggle lock.