A/N: So, I'm still working on my other story, it's just slow going for now as this one is in the forefront of my mind. Anyway, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
The month of August flew by and, before Cassie knew it, it was early in the morning on September first. She would be boarding the train for Hogwarts in about four hours.
After getting dressed and making her way down to the dining room, Cassie greeted the Malfoys and Harrison.
Breakfast was eaten as usual and Harrison took the last of the nutrient potions he was prescribed by Narcissa. How he was glad that he wouldn't have to take another one. The taste was horrible.
Though he hated taking the potion, Harrison couldn't deny it helped. Over the last few months since he had come to Malfoy Manor, he had grown a few inches and gained a healthy weight. His scars that were already faded were gone completely thanks to the scar cream his Aunt Cissa had given him. Even his hair had gotten softer and healthier looking. Harrison was quite happy with the way he looked.
Three hours later, Cassie had just finished making sure she had everything packed and ready to go. After confirming that Charon, who had grown to just over three feet long, was coiled around her arm, Cassie nodded to her Aunt Cissa and Uncle Luc to let them know she was ready to leave for the station.
Grabbing her trunk in one hand and holding onto Narcissa's other hand, Narcissa apparated the two of them to Kings Cross station, platform 9 3/4. Lucius followed just behind them with Draco and Harrison.
The Malfoys, Cassie, and Harrison drew quite a few stares with their cold masks in place and the graceful way they walked.
Catching sight of the Weasley family and Molly Weasley practically smothering her children, Cassie caught the twin's eyes and tilted her head toward the train.
Getting the message, the twins nodded back and, with Ron, gave Cassie, Draco, and Harrison a subtle greeting when they passed by.
The three Weasley boys were surprised when Lucius and Narcissa Nodded in greeting out of them. They immediately bowed their heads in respect for the Lord and Lady of the House of Malfoy.
While this was going on, none of the other members of the Weasley family noticed any of these interactions. They were too busy being fussed over or too absorbed in themselves to care what the three seemingly outsiders in their family did.
After Lucius helped Cassie get her trunk and the cage of her owl onto the train, The five exchanged hugs goodbye. Narcissa made Cassie promise to write every week and after her sorting. Cassie immediately agreed as she would miss them all dearly while she was at Hogwarts.
Once the parting words were finished, Cassie climbed onto the train and waved a last goodbye to her adopted family.
Walking down the hallway of the train with her trunk and owl in tow, Cassie came to an empty compartment near the back. Entering, Cassie took out a few books, levitated her trunk up to the racks, and settled back to wait.
Ten minutes later, just before the train was to leave, the door to Cassie's compartment opened and in walked the Weasley twins.
Cassie gave them a nod in welcome and, after levitating the twins' trunks up to the racks for them and throwing locking and silencing charms at the door, watched as the two boys sat on the bench across from her.
Cassie studied the twins for a moment and clicked her tongue in distaste at their threadbare robes.
Summoning a quill and parchment from her trunk, Cassie penned a quick note to Narcissa, while the twins were watching in carefully veiled confusion. Sending it off with her eagle owl, Basil, she then looked back at the twins and spoke. "Good morning, boys. How have you been since we last saw each other?"
Fred and George shared a look before Fred, who seemed to be the spokesman of the two, replied. "Good morning, Ms. Black. We've been as well as can be when surrounded by a family like ours."
Raising an eyebrow, Cassie spoke, "Oh, and what kind of family is that?"
This time it was George who spoke with well-hidden hurt in his voice that was echoed by the look in Fred's eyes. "Those that ignore our very existence and when they do see us, treat us like nothing but pests."
Fred continued after his brother left off, "Honestly, it hurts us to leave Ron behind for the next two years with our parents and sister. They're the worst of the lot. Our eldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, aren't so bad. They're just always busy, trying to keep away from our parents as much as possible. Percy though, he's nearly as bad as our parents. Always bragging about how he's so much better than everyone else. Mum spoils Ginny, our youngest sibling, rotten. It's gotten to the point that Ginny cares for no one but herself. Dad ignores everyone in favor of his work and hobby messing with Muggle inventions. And Mum is so controlling and overbearing it makes us sick. Ron is the only one who sees us for who we are. He has a brilliant strategical mind and makes use of it to help us hide what we don't want the rest of our family to know. We only hope the rest don't manage to corrupt him while we're at Hogwarts."
Cassie, surprised that Fred and George would share this much with her after only having met twice, gave a short hum while thinking of a response. Tilting her head to the side and taking a good look at the twins, ignoring their appearance for now, she nodded sharply once and spoke, "Tell me, what are your views on magic?"
The twins blinked, not having expected that question. Eventually, George answered for them both, albeit hesitantly. "All Magic should be free. Light or Dark, it doesn't matter. Magic is Magic."
"Does Ron think this way as well?" Receiving two nods in response, Cassie smiled, pleased.
The twins watched as a warm smile spread over Cassie's face. They had to suppress a shiver in response.
Cassie had had hope that this meeting would go well as she had been intrigued with the twins and their little brother since she first saw them. But to think, this had gone better than she would have ever expected. Their views on magic were perfectly aligned with her and her family's. She could sense the untapped potential in both of their magical signatures. Hopefully, they wouldn't be opposed to joining her on her father's side.
"One last question," Cassie said. "What do you think of Slytherin House?"
Fred looked Cassie in the eye and said, "Honestly, we think Slytherin would be the best house for us and Ron. We just don't know how Slytherin as a whole would take to three Weasleys joining their ranks."
Cassie laughed, genuinely delighted. "Oh, don't worry. They'll welcome you, that I promise. Just stick with me and you'll find no problems from the Slytherins."
Fred and George exchanged a confused look.
Cassie, seeing this, said, "When I introduced myself last month, I didn't give you my full name. I'm Cassiopeia Calla Riddle-Black. Daughter and Heir of Lord Slytherin. Feel free to call me Cassie, all my friends do." Giving a shark like smile in response to the bewildered then joyful faces of the two boys in front of her, Cassie laughed joyously. 'Oh, yes,' She thought. 'These two will make great additions to Slytherin's ranks.'
Hours later, about three quarters of the way through the journey to Hogwarts, Cassie heard a tapping coming from the window. Stopping in the middle of her explanation of obscure Pureblood customs, she got up and went to open the window to let Basil in with his burden.
Hooting in what seemed to be thanks, Basil swooped down to land on the top of his golden cage. Lifting his right leg and giving it a shake, Basil hooted again.
Cassie retrieved a letter and shrunken package from Basil and sat down again. Opening the letter, Cassie read through it and smiled.
Enlarging the package, Cassie then handed it over to the twins and said, "Go on, open it."
Upon opening the package, Fred and George found six, crisp, black Hogwarts robes, ties, and two pairs of dragonhide boots of the finest quality.
Looking back at Cassie only to see a wide smile on her face, they were about speak when Cassie beat them to it. "I asked Aunt Cissa to have some clothes made for you by our personal tailor. They will adjust to your size and grow with you. There will be casual clothes coming soon. And before you refuse, this is the least I can do for two future Slytherins. You'll be representing our house, you have to look your best. Well, what are you waiting for, try them on!"
Fred and George looked at each other, gobsmacked. This was the best gift they had ever received. When what Cassie said last finally clicked, they hurried to change into their new robes and boots.
After they finished changing, they couldn't hold back blinding smiles when they took in the quality and look of their new clothes. In these robes, they looked like the proper Purebloods, they had always wished they were seen as.
Cassie, after looking over the twins, nodded in approval. She decided that the twins cleaned up well.
They would be very handsome in the future, Cassie believed. 'Maybe," she thought, "they would even make good husbands.'
After having spoken with the twins for hours on end and getting to know them, Cassie had to admit she had taken a liking to them. Though they were still young, most Purebloods wrote up bonding contracts early for their children, especially their heirs. And while Cassie's parents, according to Narcissa and Lucius, would only make a contract that Cassie was happy with, she was still on the lookout for a potential spouse or two. In the world of Purebloods, it was never too early to be thinking of bonding as most were bonded right out of school.
While Cassie was lost in her thoughts, Fred and George were having a silent conversation. Coming to a conclusion at the same time, the twins nodded to each other and turned to the girl sitting across from them.
"Cassie," Fred spoke. "We were hoping we could get your help with something."
Blinking, Cassie looked to the twins and gestured for them to continue.
George spoke, "There's a very good chance that, when we're sorted into Slytherin, Mum will demand we get a resort. Since we won't be asking for one, she'll probably label us as traitors to the family and maybe even disown us."
Nodding, Fred continued for his twin, "Now, since we would rather not be a part of that family anyway, it wouldn't bother us to be disowned. Though, having no last name might cause some issues. But what we're really worried about is Ron. He would be stuck with people who barely acknowledged his existence for the next two years. So, we were hoping you might have some way to get him out of that house before he comes to Hogwarts."
Cassie considered this for a few moments. Yes, there were ways she could help all three of them. She wouldn't just leave the twins without a House to back them. No, she would just have to decide what was the most logical course of action.
Nodding, Cassie spoke, "Of course I'll help. Slytherins stick together, no matter what. To leave a future member of my House with a family of blood traitors will just not do. It may take a little while, but it will be done."
Grateful, the Twins thanked Cassie, repeatedly.
'Yes,' Cassie thought. 'She knew just what to do to help.'
Finally arriving at Hogsmeade station, the twins and Cassie stepped off the train into the crowd of students.
Looking around for the half-giant Lucius had told her would take them to the castle, Cassie finally found him shouting for first years to follow him.
After Cassie got the attention of the twins, the three eleven-year-olds made their way towards Hagrid.
Following Hagrid with the rest of the first years down a dark trail towards the water, Cassie and the twins had to be careful so as not to slip and fall.
Eventually, they reached the shore of the lake and saw, for the first time, Hogwarts. Cassie could feel the power of the ancient wards of the school wash over her as if to welcome her home.
She knew from reading some of her father's journals that Hogwarts was the first place he had ever called home. Now that she was here herself, she could see why. Lady Hogwarts recognizes her heirs and would always welcome them home.