Forever Young

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! Get any good candy? I hope you enjoyed last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one even more. Nobody guessed what she did to her hair so now you'll find out! Enjoy my lovely's!

Chapter 10: Little Miss. Brand New Start

Cassidy's POV:

I placed the scissors on the bathroom counter and looked at my new hair. I found the materials needed to bleach my hair under the sink. Then I decided with my long hair there was too much blonde. So I cut a good 11inches off leaving my hair right above my shoulders. I straightened it and twisted my bangs and pinned them to the side.

I went back into my room to change and then made my way down stairs. I could hear everyone chatting in the living room. I took a deep breath and entered to room.

"Hey guys," I said confidently entering the room. Everyone looked over and there jaws dropped. I gave a hopeful smile.

"Sooo?" I drawled out "What do you think?" Spencer was the first one to speak.

"It looks nice," He said. I smiled at his response.

"Do you really?" I asked reaching up to run my fingers through it.

"Yeah," he said with a faint smile. Grace was the next to speak.

"You look like your mom," she smiled. I looked in the mirror that was in the living room. I kinda did. The only thing that ever separated our looks was my hair. Now it looks like hers.

"What made you decide to change?" Marlene asked. I only shrugged my shoulders.

"I guess I just need a brand new start." I said honestly. Everyone smiles and nods and then we make our way to the dining room for dinner. We are having my favorite: Salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, and parmesan garlic green beans. We sit around the table and talk and laugh and have an overall great time. We then move into the living room and have coffee and tea with homemade brownies and cookies. Around 8:30pm Marlene announces her departure.

"If you need anything," she said hugging me "Don't be afraid to floo me or send a letter."

"I won't Marlene." I said squeezing her. She let go and flooed home. I thank Christopher and Grace for dinner and everything once more and head up to my room. When I enter my room James and Sirius are sitting on my bed.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked as I slip my heels off.

"Just wanted to hang out with you." Sirius answered "Make sure you're alright." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm fine, honestly." I tell them grabbing pajamas from my draw and going into the bathroom to change. I brush my teeth and pull my hair into a small ponytail then go back into my room. James is laying upside down on my bead while Sirius is rifling through my bookshelf.

"What are you doing?" I ask not directing the question at one boy in particular.

"Nothing" they both responded simultaneously. I rolled my eyes at them both. I pushed Sirius out of the way to grab a book then shoved James off the bed so I could lay down and read.

"Bloody hell Cass!" he growled rubbing his head. I only smiled and laughed at him. I feel the heat of eyes staring at me so I look up and find the two boys staring at me intensely. I let out a sigh, but down my book, and drag them out of the room. I lay back in bed and pick up my book once more.

"Finally," I breathe to myself "Alone at last."

The next day was my father's funeral. I woke that morning in a somber mood. I washed my face, brushed my hair then curled it and pinned my bangs back. I applied simple make-up and began to dress myself. I pulled on black tights, a black skater dress with ¾ sleeves, and black heels. I grabbed my jacket and purse and made my way down stairs.

It was very cold out that morning. I hugged my flared out jacket closer to my body. I felt Spencer wrap his arm around my shoulder to help keep me warm. I leaned into him to hide the tears forming in my eyes. We took our seats and the ceremony began. Countless numbers of people stood up to speak about my father. They shared both good and bad times. Funny and depressing. They talked about what a good man he was and what wonderful children he raised. Finally I was called up to speak. Spencer squeezed my hand as I let out a deep breath and walked to the podium.

"Umm…hi everyone." I spoke clearly "For those of you that don't know me I'm Cassidy Clark, Kent's daughter." I stammered as I spoke ensure of what to say next.

"I don't really know why he chose me to speak here today," I told the crowd honestly "My older brother Spencer is usually better at these sort of things." Laughter from the audience "I loved my father very deeply and I know he loved me as well. In fact his last words to me before he died were 'I love you'." I spoke sadly remember the terrible afternoon "I loved him very much but a part of me resents him. I resent him because he took his own life away."

Silence

"Even though he had two beautiful children worth living for he still took his life away. Up until a few days ago I didn't understand why. But a good friend pointed out to me even though he loved my brother and me and being with us made him happy, he was happiest when he was with our mother Anastasia." I told the crowd who had come to mourn my father's life. I found Sirius's steely gray eyes and smiled at him remembering our conversation from a few nights before.

"He loved her very deeply and when she died years early from colon cancer a bit of him died as well. She was taken very quickly from us and sadly he wasn't even in the room when she passed. He was never the same after that. He loved us and cared for us as best he could but he wasn't the same.

"I wish my father hadn't taken his life, but I guess he'll be happier now that he's with my mother, his wife." I looked into the sky and smiled "I love you daddy," I whispered. I stepped down from the podium and went into my purse pulling out the necklace he wore with my mother's wedding and engagement rings around it. I stood back on the small stage were his coffin was set up. I reached down to touch his cold, lifeless hand and pulled of his ring as well. I slipped it onto the chain then laid the chain on his chest. I kissed his cheek and stepped off the stage and sat in my seat next to Spencer who reached out for my hand. He kissed my temple and I leaned into him.

'It's over' I thought to myself 'It's finally over.'

The next two days pass and Christmas Eve is upon us. James, Sirius, Spencer, and I spend the day wrapping and sending presents, helping decorate the ball room for the annual Christmas Bash the Potters throw. A little after lunch Grace and I head out to the tailor in Diagon Alley to pick up our dresses and robes. We also went to the salon to have our nails done and so I could get my hair fixed up professionally.

Around 5:30pm I began to get ready. I showered quickly washing my freshly cut hair. I got out and dried off pulling on bra and panties and then my black robe and slippers. I dried my hair then curled it. Then I applied natural eye make-up and ruby red lipstick and gloss. I then pulled on my red cap sleeved dress that flowed down to my mid-thigh going lower in the back than the front.

"Cassidy?" someone said from the outside of my door "Can I come in?" It was Grace.

"Yeah just a second!" I called. I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around my body. I moved to unlock and open the door. Grace is standing in her green and black robes holding a small box in her hand.

"You aren't dressed yet?" she asked as she came in.

"Umm not yet no. I didn't want to mess up my dress while I was doing hair and make-up." I lied as I sat on the bed. I patted the space next to me and she gracefully sat down as well. She was silent for a moment before handing me the box in her hand.

"Open it," she said.

"But we normally don't open presents until tomorrow," I said staring at the box in my hand.

"Just open it," she repeated. I nodded my head and slowly removed the wrappings. I slowly opened the box and gasped at what was inside. A silver locket. My mother's silver locket.

"Your mother left this in my possession the last time I spoke to her before she passed. She wanted me to give it to you for your 18th birthday but I figured now would be better since you need her with you now more than ever." She said taking the box from my hand "She told me to tell you that as long as you wear this you'll be safe and always have her protection." She pulled the locket out of the box and wrapped it around my neck and clasped it together.

"There," she said smoothing out my hair "Now she'll always be with you." I tried to discreetly wipe the tears away from my eyes but it didn't work. Grace wiped them for me then kissed my cheek careful to not get lipstick on it. She then got off my bed and left the room. I also stood up and went over to my vanity and sat down in the chair.

I looked at the locket in the reflection and smiled. I then took off my robe slipped on my black heels with a bow as a strap then made my way down stairs. Spencer was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs in his black dress robes. When he saw me he smiled.

"You look beautiful Cass," He said extending his arm to me and kissing my cheek.

"Thanks Spence," I said letting out a large sigh, "You clean up nicely as well."

"Gee, thanks Sis." He said laughing as we entered the party. Once the doors opened and everyone turned to see who was entering the room went silent. My smile faded as we uncomfortably made our way through the crowd. The chatter slowly started to increase again probably moving the conversation to the crazy sports reporter who killed himself. As we found James and Sirius they were quietly talking to each other as well.

"Hey guys," I said letting go of Spencer and moving to hug the boys.

"Hey Cassi," they both responded kissing my cheek and hugging me. I saw them looking behind me so I turned to look as well only to see a group of people staring and shaking their heads at me and Spencer.

"Ignore them Cassidy," Sirius said as he placed his hand on my shoulder and walked me out of the room while my brother and James went to talk to some distant relatives. I slump against the wall outside the ballroom and place my head in my hands.

"Is this what it's going to be like every time we go to some public event?" I mumble "Everyone pointing and staring at the crazy sports reporter's kids!"

"Your dad wasn't crazy Cassi," Sirius said "He was just-"

"He was sick I know that!" I snapped at him "But is that how everyone's going to look at me now? The sick man's daughter?"

"No Cassidy they won't!" Sirius snapped back "They'll see you as the talented, fun, beautiful girl who went through a hardship. I mean that's how I see you."

I looked up at him, "It is?" I whispered. He nodded and leaned against the wall opposite me.

"That's how everyone sees you." He admitted. I whip away the tears threatening to fall. I then stand up and walk over to him. I notice with my heels the top of my head grazes his nose. I look up at him as he looks down at me.

"Thank you," I tell him as I stand on my tip toes to wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. He hugs me back and places his head on my shoulder.

"It'll be okay Cassi," He said rubbing my back "It'll be ok." After a few minutes we went back inside and danced for a while. Then I danced with James and then my brother. We were all laughing and having a good time. Around 8 O'clock Remus and Peter showed as well as Marlene.

"Marley!" I exclaimed as she sat down at the table next to me. I jumped up and hugged her "You look great Marls!"

"As do you Miss. Clark, as do you." she joked as we sat back down and started chatting away "I wish I could have gotten here sooner but my parents insisted that we go to visit my Grandparents before coming."

"Well you're here now," I said patting her leg. We talked, dance, ate, and drank the night away. Around midnight Marlene, Remus, and Peter went on their way and James, Sirius, Spencer, and I were off to bed. I pulled on a loose white tank top and red shorts with blue designs on them and crawled into bed slowly drifting into a peaceful sleep for the night.

Hope you all enjoyed! I would greatly enjoy you're feedback! So please review! Love you all.

XOXO,

SophieElizabeth630