Forever Young

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine was alright. I had to wake up at 3:30am after only getting 5 hours of sleep and I was up until 10pm where I fell asleep for 12 hours. Plus there is the fact I have a cold. But anyways... I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Lately I've been getting lots of positive reviews and feedback. Please keep it coming! Thanks a whole bunch... ENJOY!

Chapter 17: I'm Coming Home

Cassidy's POV:

The Potters were home early Sunday morning. By the time I was up and downstairs Grace was already making breakfast.

The rest of the week went by in a flash. It was filled with packing and last minute homework adjustments. By the time Saturday came I was ready to go back to my second home. I woke up Saturday morning at 6:30am to double check everything and was in the shower by 7am.

After my shower I dried off and curled my now long hair into soft waves. I pulled on jeans, a white lace tank top that cinched at my bust then flared out, and I pulled on white sandals. I put on mascara and eyeliner and a touch of lip gloss. After I finished cleaning my room and checked for a third time that I had everything I needed I made my way downstairs.

"Morning honey," Grace said as she set a plate of food down on the counter. I took my place next to Sirius who winked at me. I smiled and blushed. Over the past couple of days we've had some stolen kisses and flirtatious moments. Nothing more. I haven't talked to Andrew in a few days and I'm nervous to see him.

"Cassidy?" James voice took me out of my trance.

"Yeah," I said looking over at him. Both he and Sirius were giving me concerned looks.

"Where did you go just now?" James asked.

"What? Nowhere, what did you need?" I asked trying to brush it off.

"Just wondering if you guys were gonna sit with us on the train." He said. I nodded my head.

"Yeah, but don't you have to go to the prefects meeting since you're the Head Boy now?" I asked him. He frowned and nodded his head while Sirius snorted. I slapped Sirius and glared at him.

"What?" he exclaimed. "I still can't believe Dumbledore made you Head Boy. He's got to be mental."

"Or on drugs," I added in absent mindedly. They both looked at me and I looked back with an innocent face.

"What?" I questioned.

The train ride to Hogwarts was long and tiring. Lily, James, and Remus were gone for a good part of it leaving Sirius, Peter, Marlene, and me alone. When we got to the castle McGonagall pulled me aside to talk before the First Years came and the feast started.

"Yes Professor?" I asked as I meet her outside of the Great Hall.

"I was wondering if you'd be willing to show a new student around for the first few days of next week. She's a new student from America and over the summer she was sorted into Gryffindor house. She's a 7th year so she'll be in with you, Miss. Evans and Miss. McKinnon," she said getting straight to the point. I smiled at the idea of a new student. Hogwarts hasn't had one in a while.

"I'd love to Professor," I told her. She smiled and pointed her out to me. From where we were standing I could see she was very pretty. She had blonde straight hair and looked about 5'6". She was sitting near where the First Years normally sit. I smiled and said good bye to McGonagall before swooping in and saving my soon to be friend.

"Ellie right?" I asked sitting down next to her.

"Yes, that's me," she said shakily her bright green eyes wide. I smiled at her sweetly.

"Hi," I said sticking my hand out. "I'm Cassidy Clark. I'm a 7th year as well. Do you want to come sit with me and my friends?" I asked her. She nodded her head frantically and we made our way over to the others.

"Hey guys," I said sitting down letting Ellie in next to me. "This is Ellie Smith, she's a 7th year Gryffindor with us now. So don't scare her off." I said the last part specifically towards the Marauders who took offense from it.

"Ok so the one with the glasses is James, the one next to him is Peter, The tall one with sandy hair is Remus, and this one is Sirius." I said pointing to each of the boys. Ellie smiled and waved at each one.

"And the one with the bright red hair is Lily, and the blond is Marlene." I said pointing to my two friends. They both smiled and gave their hellos. Ellie smiled back as well. We all continued to talk and chat wait for the Sorting to begin. After the Sorting we ate our meal and then made our way to the Common Room to sleep.

"Ok Ellie," I said as we entered our dorm. "That bed over there is yours. Mines the one next to it and Lily and Marlene's are across from ours." Ellie nodded and made her way to her bed where her trunk was sitting. I went to the bathroom and washed the make-up from my face then brushed my teeth and changed into my pajamas. I was pulling my hair into a bun as I walked out of the bathroom. When I entered the room Marlene was asleep, Ellie was reading, and Lily had just walked in from her rounds. She had a goofy smile on her face and was holding her hand to her cheek.

"Lily?" I asked cautiously walking over to my bed. "Care to share anything?" She blushed a deep red and I could tell she was cursing the fact she was a ginger.

"James sorta asked me to Hogsmeade in two weeks and I sorta said yes," she said timidly. I squealed and ran over to hug her.

"Lily that's fantastic!" I yelled. Marlene muttered for us to shut up and I rolled my eyes.

"What's fantastic?" I heard Ellie's quiet voice ask from her bed.

"Ok so James Potter – the one who had the glasses – has been asking Lily out since before I can remember. And now she's finally said yes!" I whisper screamed in excitement. Ellie looked a little confused but happy for Lily none the less.

"Well congratulations Lily," she said with a smile. "You two will make a cute couple. I could have sworn you already were." Once again Lily blushed. She grabbed the things she needed and hurried into the bathroom. Ellie and I laughed at her quick escape and we went back to our separate beds. As I finished putting all my things away I slipped on my moccasins and made my way towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Lily asked as she exited the bathroom.

"To ask James a quick question," I lied. "I should be back soon." Lily gave be a look but went back to organizing her things. I sneak downstairs and breathe a sigh of relief when I see that no one else is down there. I sit on the couch by the fire continuing my yearly ritual.

"Really Clark, again?" a voice from behind said. I turned around and smiled as Sirius came around the couch and sat next to me. As he sat down he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

"Sirius," I warned looking around. "Not here. What if someone sees?" He rolled his eyes and moved to kiss my lips but I dodged it causing him to fall on the couch cushions.

"I'm serious," I told him pushing him back up.

"I'm pretty sure that's me Cass," he joked. I rolled my eyes but leaned into his side. "Have you talked to Andrew yet?" He asked. My body went rigid and my mind flashed back to the platform early this morning.

Flashback

I ran through the barrier on Platform 9 ¾ pushing my trolley. I clutched my cross body bag close to me and made my way towards the luggage area. After I dropped my things off I went to find Lily and Marlene.

"Guess who?" a voice said as hands went over my eyes. My stomach dropped. It was Andrew.

"Andrew," my voice said shakily. "How are you?" I asked turning around. He had an enormous smile on his face and I cringed.

"Great, how are you gorgeous?" he said wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek.

"I'm fine," I stuttered. He gave me a weird look but brushed it off. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash a bright red hair. I sighed and turned towards Andrew.

"Sorry sweetie," I said kissing his cheek. "I just saw Lily and Marlene. Gotta go find them. See you later." I then sped off as fast as I could to get to Lily and Marlene. Or at least anywhere but here.

Flashback

"A little bit. But not an entire conversation," I told him. He frowned and I gave him an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry Sirius really," I told him. "I'll talk to him as soon as I can."

"Ok," he said with a smile. He then leaned in and tried to kiss me again. I just gave in and let him. I heard a creak from behind me then a door slam. I whipped my head around at the stairs and Sirius said the same.

"What was that?" I asked standing up worriedly.

"Probably nothing," he said standing up as well.

"I'm gonna go to bed now," I told him. "Good night Sirius." I kissed his cheek hurriedly and then ran up the stairs. I entered the dorm and shut the door softly. I surveyed the room and everyone appeared to be asleep. I slipped into bed and shut my eyes tight hoping to fall asleep quickly.

I had no such luck.

The next morning I was the first one up. I dug around in my dresser for an outfit for the day while debating on whether or not I should shower. Eventually I decided on an outfit and to wait for a shower until after my run. I went into the bathroom and pulled on purple running shorts, a grey sweatshirt, and my black running sneakers. I pulled my still wavy hair into a loose ponytail then brushed my teeth and then left the bathroom. Everyone was still asleep except for Ellie who was putting things into her dresser and cupboard.

"Morning Ellie," I chirped as I went over to my bed to put my dirty clothes in the hamper by my cupboard.

"Hello Cassidy," she said back. "Sleep well?"

"Fantastic," I said. "You?"

"Great," she smiled. I nodded my head and finished cleaning up my bed area. I then said good bye to Ellie and left the dorm to go onto the grounds and go for a run. I ran down to the Quidditch Field and back a few times. I then ran down to Hagrids hut to say hello. I chatted with him for a good 10-15 minutes before jogging towards the Quidditch field again then back up to the castle. Upon my entrance into the castle I literally ran into Andrew and his friends.

"Cassidy," he exclaimed. "I've been looking for you since yesterday. Where have you been?" He sounded like he had some anger in his voice.

"I've been with Lily and Marlene." I lied. He gave me a skeptical look then walked away. "Andrew, wait!" I called after him.

"I'm tired of waiting for you Cassidy," he said without even turning around.

"Andrew," I called. "Please, just wait a second." He finally turned around so I could catch up to him.

"Look I'm sorry," I started. "I've been busy lately. McGonagall gave me the responsibility to show around this new girl in Gryffindor. Plus I'm already stressing about NEWT's at the end of the year. Can you give me a little leeway?" He sighed then wrapped his arms around my waist. I cringed and pulled away. He gave me a look but I put my hand up.

"I just ran a whole lot and I'm sweaty. Let me eat breakfast then shower and I'll meet you back here at 1:30pm. Okay?" I said with a smile. He sighed but then smiled back at me.

"Okay," he said. I smiled and quickly kissed his lips.

"See you in a couple of hours." I shouted as I ran in the direction of the Great Hall. I sat down next to Lily and quickly poured some granola into a bowl then drizzled honey over top. I began to shovel it down my throat so I could hurry and start getting ready for Andrew.

"Where's the fire sparky?" James laughed as he sat down across from me. I swallowed the food in my mouth then fake laughed at him.

"Ha-ha, very funny James," I said unimpressed. "If you must know I have a date to get ready for."

"With who?" Ellie asked.

"Here boyfriend," James sing-songed.

"Who's her boyfriend, that Sirius boy?" she asked. James laughed and I froze.

"No he is not my boyfriend," I said quickly. "My boyfriend's name is Andrew Williams. He's in Ravenclaw."

"Oh," she said then looked down at her food with her eyebrows furrowed. I stared at her suspiciously then continued to eat my granola. After I finished I pour some coffee into a mug and then added cream and sugar. I downed the coffee in a few gulps then shot up and ran out the door calling good-bye to my friends. I jogged all the way up to my dorm and flung open my cupboard door.

I pulled out a white tunic dress that had long sleeves. I laid it on my bed then ran towards the bathroom stripping off my clothes on the way. I washed and conditioned my hair. Then I washed and scrubbed my face and body. I stopped the water and stepped out and dried off. I pulled on a white bra and knickers then pulled on my robe and wrapped my hair in the towel to dry. I stepped into the door room and started to look for accessories. I pulled out a flowered head band, flower stud earrings, and a flower pendent necklace all gold colored.

I pulled the towel off my head and curled the ends into ringlets. I placed the head band across my forehead and pinned it in. Then I put on the studs and necklace. I brushed gold eye shadow over my lids then mascara and finally I added some winged eyeliner. I swiped some lip gloss across my lips then finally pulled on my dress. I then grabbed a pair of brown sandal heels with a gold color zipper and heel. I took one final look in the mirror then made my way to the place where Andrew and I talked this morning.

He was already waiting for me when I turned the corner to the hall we we're meeting. He must have heard the clacking of my shoes because his head shot up when I started to walk towards him. His smile grew and he folded his arms across his chest.

"Hi," He said.

"Hey," I said back.

"You look…. Wow," he laughed. I smiled and blushed.

"Thanks you look 'wow' as well," I giggled.

"So are we just gonna go for a walk or something?" he asked stuffing his hands in his pockets. My smile lowered. I completely forgot to come up with something for us to do. Then a thought popped into my head.

"I have an idea," I said grabbing his hand. "Follow me." I started to pull him behind me going in the direction I had come from.

"Where are we going?" He asked. I turned towards him with a glimmer in my eye.

"You'll see," I said with a wink as we continued to walk.

Hmmmm... Any ideas where they're going? Any ideas what might happen? We'll see next time. Enjoy the rest of you're weekend!