Here is the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait, but as it was an exam period in my university, I had almost no time to sleep, let alone to update. I hope you like this chapter.

However, Cassiopeia knew better than to expect her mother's voice. Her father was the head of the House of Elderidge and all the discipline for his daughters' more serious misbehavior was always his task. Their mother was always just looking on or taking care of Cassiopeia's less important misdemeanors. Therefore, it was rather expected to hear her father's furious voice.

Cassiopeia's father had always been a cold man. He especially took pride in being restrained. He called it dignity, although Cass would always rather call it coldness. She had rarely seen even a flicker of emotion in his face and when she had, it was only on the few occasions when no one except his family was around. Over the years, she felt to read the man even despite the lack of emotions and she knew exactly when he was boiling with anger. Therefore, his stiff voice coming from the Howler, void of any emotion, sounded even more dangerous than if he were yelling at her.

"Cassiopeia Amaryllis, you know that what you've done is unforgivable. You know well what it means – you ashamed our whole family. Your mother and I are still discussing what measures need to be taken with you and we are strongly inclined to withdraw you from that school this instant. Expect to receive our decision soon." he said and then the Howler burned into ashes.

For a while, there was an astonished silence, except for the Slytherin's mocking calls. Cass noticed her sister's smug smile as she gave her a told-you-so look. Cassiopeia's new friends were looking at her with fright, not really knowing what to say. "It could have been worse." she shrugged, trying to ease the tension at the table.

"Cass, did your father really meant what he said? Could he really take you away from here?" Lily asked worriedly.

"And just because you got sorted into Gryffindor?" Mary added.

"Well, I am sure that as they are beyond livid, it was the first thing that came into their minds. But they won't take me away. Because then I would have to be homeschooled and my parents absolutely hate hiring tutors for me." Cassiopeia said, trying to reassure the girls but there was still worry in her voice.

"And you really are used to this kind of treatment from your parents?" Lily asked, looking horrified. Her own parents were kind people and although her sister scowled at her ever since Lily had received her Hogwarts letter, she never felt unloved at home.

"As I said, this was not that bad. It's only a Howler, after all." she shrugged, trying not to think of her Christmas break, when she would have to come home. That, on the other hand, might not turn out well at all. However, Christmas break was still ages away. "Let's go, Charms start in ten minutes." she said and all three girls got up and slung their bags over their shoulders.

The day went on well enough. Lily and Cass received ten points each from Professor Flitwick for their work in Charms. The last class of the day was Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall had a long speech about the dangers of carless transfiguration and to motivate the students to better results, she transformed into a cat. The whole class applauded, impressed. "That's so cool!" James Potter exclaimed from his seat in the back row, where he was sitting next to Sirius Black.

"Just imagine the pranks we could do!" Sirius added.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said and then proceeded explain the first task for the pupils – to change a matchstick into a needle. At the end of the class, she was more than content with the results of her pupils. Both Sirius and James managed the task in a matter of minutes. Cass, who had already learned the very basics, managed without much problem as well. And Lily, although muggle-born, succeeded to transform the matchstick as well, to her own astonishment. However, after the class was dismissed, Professor McGonagall called both Cass and Sirius back.

"Miss Elderidge, Mr. Black, Professor Dumbledore would like to talk to you both in his office. I'm supposed to bring you immediately. If you please follow me." she said strictly and both Cass and Sirius nodded before exchanging confused looks but nevertheless, they followed the professor out of the classroom. Lily and Mary were dutifully waiting for Cassiopeia, as was James Potter.

"I need to see Dumbledore right away. I'll see you at dinner." Cass said hurriedly as she rushed to catch up with professor McGonagall. As she followed the professor through the corridors, she was desperately trying to remember the way so she wouldn't get lost later. Before long, they were standing in front of a gargoyle, which was obviously the way into the Headmaster's office.

"Ice mice." McGonagall said and immediately, the gargoyle leaped aside, revealing a spiral staircase.

Once in Dumbledore's office, both Sirius and Cassiopeia were looking around in awe. The room was just…magical; there wasn't any other word for it. It was full of strange contraptions and pictures of deceased Headmasters of Hogwarts lined the walls. Professor Dumbledore was sitting in a large plush armchair and reading a scroll of parchment. But as McGonagall brought them in, he looked up and smiled.

"Oh, young Mr. Black and Miss Elderidge, how splendid to see you."

"Professor McGonagall said you wanted to talk to us." Sirius said, rather nervously.

"Yes, Mr. Black, that is correct. But first of all, would you like a lemon drop?" he said and to their surprise, he pushed a bowl full to the brim of lemon drops.

"Thank you, sir." Sirius said and reached for the candy.

"Thank you." Cass followed quickly and took one lemon drop.

"You are very welcome." Dumbledore said, taking one as well. "Now, you must wonder why I called you to my office. Don't worry, neither of you are in trouble." he said quickly. "But I would like to talk to you about the Howlers you received this very morning."

"Oh, that. You must excuse my mother, sir. She does not really care about everyone's right to eat their breakfast in peace." Sirius said cheekily and Dumbledore's mustache twitched.

"While that was an unpleasant result of the Howler as well, Mr. Black, I was more concerned about the content of the Howlers. Therefore, I would like to ask you both, how are you dealing with being sorted into Gryffindor. Although I am strictly against giving priorities to any of the Houses, I understand that for some families it is a very important tradition to be sorted into their preferred House."

"I don't know, sir. I'm glad to be in Gryffindor. No matter what anyone says." Sirius said.

"And how do you deal with what your family says, Sirius?" Dumbledore asked, his smile gone entirely.

"I don't care what my mother says. It's all rubbish, anyways." the boy shrugged, showing much more bravery than he really felt.

"And Cassiopeia? How do you cope with the situation?"

"It's rather early to tell, sir. I mean, I've been here one day and so far it was great, except for the few comments of the Slytherins, but I don't really care about them. As for my parents, my father's Howler wasn't that bad. I've been told worse, you should have heard him when once I a spilled a full bowl of sauce on my aunt's lap by accident." she said and Sirius snickered. However, Dumbledore didn't smile.

"I want you both to listen to me now. If anyone, anyone at all, will harass you because of the House you were sorted into, I want you to know you can talk to me any time and I will help you."

"Sir? Do you think you could do something in case my parents decided to take me out of here?" Cass asked with worry.

"I'm not denying it would be very difficult, Cassiopeia. But I would certainly try anything in my power to talk them out of the decision. However, I do not think they will take you from Hogwarts. If my memory serves well, several generations of Elderidges attended Hogwarts, I do not think your parents will want to break this tradition." he said and Cass nodded. He was right; her parents were obsessed with tradition. "Now, if you do not have anything to tell me, I think it is time you headed to the Great Hall for dinner. I hear the meatloaf should be especially delicious tonight." Dumbledore said and both Sirius and Cassiopeia got up from their chairs.

"Thanks, sir." Sirius said

"Thank you, good night, sir." Cass added and headed for the door.


"So, basically, he told you to tell him when you are bullied for being a Gryffindor?" Mary asked on their way from the Great hall.

"Yeah, he's afraid we will be harassed by the Slytherins for not being sorted into their slimy House." Cass said.

"Seems like a real possibility." Lily murmured as a group of Slytherins whistled and called insults at Cass as they were passing by. She shot the boys a glare before turning to Cassiopeia. "Did he say anything about your family?"

"Just that he can't do much if they decide to take me out of here but agreed that it is not very probable."

"Oh, Cass." Lily sighed, truly upset by her friend's situation.

"We won't let your folks to take you away from here, we want to keep you." Mary said and linked her and Cass' arms. Seeing that, Lily linked her arm through Cass' left arm and together, they were heading into their common room.

However, they didn't have to wait long for the decision of Cass' parents. The owl flew into the Great Hall just two days later and gracefully landed in front of Cassiopeia. To her relief, this time the envelope was plain white. She took it and unfolded it with shaky hands, both girls were looking over her shoulders.

Cassiopeia,

after a long discussion we decided to let you continue your study in Hogwarts. We expect your best behavior. Your punishment for betraying our family shall be discussed when you come home.

Sebastian A. Elderidge

Head of the House of Elderidge

"That was the coldest letter from parents I've ever read." Mary commented and Cass shrugged.

"Just normal letter from my father."

"Normal? He didn't even sign it as your dad!" Lily exclaimed.

"No, that would be too affectionate." Cassiopeia explained and Lily gaped at her.

"This is so horrible!"

"On the bright side, you are staying." Mary said cheerfully from Cass' other side.

"How can you so be cheerful about this situation?" Lily glared at Mary, who shrugged.

"Come on, Lily. It's not like I don't agree that it is awful. Cass here does a horrible family. And children in orphanages don't have any but I don't see you standing over them and exclaiming how horrible that is just because you and I have wonderful parents."

"She kind of has a point, you know? Things are what they are. So my father is a heartless bloke and my mother is a hysterical banshee. No big deal." she said and finally took a bite of her toast.

All in all, since receiving their Howlers, Sirius Black and Cassiopeia Elderidge had cemented their place in Gryffindor. The Slytherins now hated them and sent hexes and tripped their feet in the hallways almost every day. Especially the group of elder Slytherins led by Lucius Malfoy and Sirius' cousin Bellatrix was giving them hard time. But the more the Slytherins hated them, the more the Gryffindor liked them. Sirius had found three best friends among the boys of the first year. His best mate was James Potter. Those two wouldn't appear almost anywhere without each other and together they were joking and pranking the others. His other friend was a shy-looking sandy-brown-haired boy Remus Lupin and a nervous and clumsy Peter Pettigrew. Those four roamed the hallways of Hogwarts and their only purpose seemed to be causing mischief. Lily hated them. She got along well with Remus, who was the most mature one of the whole group, but she couldn't stand the duo Potter/Black. Cass, on the other hand, was on good terms with the boys, even despite her rocky start with James Potter. This, however, didn't mean she liked the ways they treated the others. She found most of their pranks funny but she hated when they were bullying someone and she also wasn't afraid to tell them so.

Cassiopeia's best friends were the girls she was sharing her dormitory with – Lily Evans and Mary MacDonald. However, the situation at home was becoming more and more difficult for the young girl. The summer break after her first year may have been horrible after she had been sorted into Gryffindor, but as she learned to talk back to her parents, things got downright awful. Sometimes she wondered why she just couldn't keep quiet, why did she have to talk back? Then her parents would say something about her friends and she would forget all of her doubts.