Forever Young

Hello all! Feels like it's been forever since I posted. Probably has been. Oh well I'm here now! I hope you enjoy this chapter and your weekend! Love you all!

Chapter 6: Here For You

Cassidy's POV:

September was here and gone in a flash. Then came October were nothing miraculous happened. November was gone in a blink as well. It was December that seemed to drag on a bit. It must have been the nearing winter holiday that made it seem so long.

"Ugh!" whined Marlene as we were doing homework late Thursday evening. We had one more week of classes before winter holiday started next Saturday and it was dragging on more than usual.

"Quit complaining Marl's." I told her as I finished my Charms essay.

"Easy for you to say!" she whined once more "You're top in our class"

I roll my eyes at her. She thinks just because I'm number one in our year I'm some sort of teenage genius. Most people wouldn't know that I was top in our class. Most people think its Lily or Remus. But actually it's me. My father started teaching me things when I was 9 or 10 years old. Plus whenever my brother came home his 1st year he'd tell me all the neat things he learned.

"Just because I'm 1st in our year doesn't mean all this came naturally" I told her bitterly "I actually had to work for it."

"I know that, I'm just saying." She said

"Well stop saying!" I snap at her. Both she and Lily give me shocked faces. Lately I've been a bit snappy towards people because my father was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago.

Flashback

"10 more minutes class and then you must finish up your potions and turn them in." Slughorn called to the class. I had just finished placing mine in a vial when McGonagall came in with a sullen face. She went up to Slughorn and talked with him in a hushed voice for a few moments before the both looked at me.

"Is it me or are they looking at me?" I asked in a whispered tone as I started to clean my cauldron.

"Miss. Clark, please come with me." McGonagall said approaching my desk.

"Alright, may I finish cleaning up first?" I asked her. She started to nod her head but Lily placed her hand on my shoulder.

"You go I got it." She said as she finished cleaning hers and got to work on mine. I gave her a smile and followed McGonagall out. I noticed my brother standing in the doorway with a grim look on his face as well.

"Spence what's wrong?" I asked as I approached him. He just shook his head and placed a hand on my back guiding my after McGonagall.

"Spencer tell me what's wrong right now." I said stopping in the middle of the corridor. McGonagall looked back a touched my arm.

"Please wait until we've reached the Headmasters office Miss. Clark." She said quietly. I let out a large sigh but kept my mouth shut. McGonagall whispered the password (Lemon Drops) and we went up the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office. When we arrived his face matched Slughorn's, McGonagall's, and my brothers.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on now?" I asked sitting down in the chair across from Dumbledore's desk. My brother sat in the chair next to me and McGonagall stood off to the side.

"Mr. and Miss. Clark, I'm sorry to inform you that you're father has been admitted into St. Mungos this morning." He said his old voice informed us.

I stare at him in shock, "What happened?" I finally asked.

"He was under the impression he was taking a pain potion but it was a poison instead. Mr. and Mrs. Potter happened to show up at your home soon after to join him for breakfast and they apparated him to the hospital." He told us. I continued to stare at him in shock. My father knows the difference between a pain potion and poison. There's something not right here.

"Is he ok now?" Spencer asked breaking me out of my trance.

"Yes they managed to rid him of all the poison and he is now resting peacefully in a bed at ST. Mungos. If you wish you can go collect some items and then floo to the hospital in about an hour." Dumbledore said looking at us over his spectacles.

"That would be great, thank you sir." Spencer said reaching over the desk to shake his hand. He looked at me and kicked my foot. I looked at him and he was giving me a face.

"Yes thank you sir." I said distantly. He nodded his head and gestured towards the door. We quickly made our way down the stairs and to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"You gonna be ok?" He asked as we stepped inside the portrait hole. I nod not able to speak. I make my way up to my dorm and begin to place things into a small duffle bag I bring along for when I go home for holidays. I place in some clothes, shoes, and toiletries. I take off my uniform skirt, shirt, tie, and cloak. I change into black jeans, a blue and red plaid shirt, and brown combat boots. I pull on a simple black cloak and grab my bag and make my way back to the Headmasters office.

Spencer and I floo to St. Mungos and ask for our dad we are directed to his room on the 3rd floor. We step off the lift and make our way down the corridor to room 316. When we open the door our dad is laying there asleep so peaceful. I sit down in the chair next to his bed and take is hand.

"What did you do dad?" I whisper quietly.

"You don't think it was an accident either?" Spencer asked taking the chair opposite me. I shake my head and look back at dad.

"He knows the difference between a pain potion and poison." I said stroking his hair.

"He tried to kill himself." Spencer whispered speaking the words I was afraid to say aloud.

"He did." I whispered back "Why though, why would he do that?"

"I honestly don't know Cass," Spencer replied "I don't know"

Flashback

I let out a large sigh and started to pack up my things.

"Did he get released yet?" Lily asked as I moved towards the stairs.

"Tomorrow," I say simply as I continue to go towards the dorms.

"We're here for you Cass, you know that right?" Marlene asks as she stands up and faces me. I nod my head and run up the stairs in fear that I'd cry in front of them. I start getting ready to bed and dive under the covers before my friends enter the room.

"Is she sleeping?" I hear Marlene whisper as the quietly close the door.

"I think so," Lily whispered back. They quietly got ready for bed and I could eventually hear their breathing become even a sign that they were asleep. I quietly slip out of bed and make my way into the common room. As I walk down the stairs I was surprised to see Sirius down there as well.

"Sirius?" I asked. He turned around and smiled.

"Hey Cass," He whispered. I walked over to him and sat down

"Couldn't sleep?" I asked him. He nodded his head. "Me too." I told him.

"How's your dad?" he asked me. He was one of the first people to find out about my dad.

Flashback

I was walking down the corridor to get to the Headmasters office to floo to St. Mungos. I hear someone calling my name but I only walk faster. Finally someone is right off my shoulder.

"Cassidy I've been calling your name for like 5 minutes." He says. He then takes a look at my sullen face. "What's wrong Cass?" He asked with a serious expression.

"My dad's been admitted to St. Mungos." I whisper as I keep walking.

"What? Why?" He asked trying to keep up with me "Is he ok?"

"I don't know!" I snap at him.

"Cassi, Cassi, Cass!" He shouted grabbing my arm and pulling me around "Slow down ok?" He said placing both hands on my shoulders.

"It's gonna be ok Cass," He said pulling me into a hug "He's going to be ok."

Flashback

"He's good, getting released tomorrow." I told him with a smile.

He smiled back, "That's great Cassidy." He giving me a small hug.

"Yea it is," I said with a yawn.

"Should probably go to bed." He said with a slight laugh.

"You're probably right." I told him. I stand up to leave but not before giving his cheek a small kiss "Night Sirius,"

"Night Cassi." He said with a lopsided grin.

Sorry it was kinda short! I'd really love to get some feedback on this chapter. I wasn't sure if it was good or not so any feedback would be great, just try not to be so mean. Thanks have a great weekend all!

XOXO,

SophieElizabeth630