A/N: I apologize about the wait. Here's chapter 3, Enjoy!
The boat ride across the lake was quiet except for the occasional exclamation of wonder and squeal of excitement.
Cassie and the twins had a craft to themselves and spent the ride speaking quietly.
Eventually, the boats sailed through a curtain of ivy and through a long, dark tunnel underneath Hogwarts, herself. The tunnel ended at what seemed to be an underground harbor and the first years climbed out of their boats.
They followed Hagrid up some stone steps, coming out onto a lawn, and up to the front doors of the castle.
Hagrid knocked upon the large wooden doors and waited until a severe looking witch opened them.
After exchanging a few words with Hagrid, the witch led the first years through the doors and into a side chamber. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and gave a short overview of the Hogwarts houses and then asked the students to wait before she left.
While they waited, Cassie was greeted by some of her friends who were also first years.
Cassie looked to the friends she had grown up with and, after gesturing to the twins, spoke, "Everyone, this is Fred and George Weasley." She continued by introducing her friends to the twins. "Fred, George, these four are Adrian Pucey, Cassius Warrington, Matteo Zabini, and Liliana Moon.
After exchanging greetings, Fred and George were surprised by how easily they were welcomed into the group. It seemed that those Cassie were speaking to were intrigued by the twins instead of hateful or angry at their presence.
While the twins were chatting with the four newcomers, Cassie observed the other first years. Some looked nervous, others were chatting with friends, and a few were casting glances at Cassie's group. Some looking envious, others weary, though there was one who looked longingly at them, as if he wanted nothing more than to join them.
Cassie decided she would keep an eye on that one and see if he would make a good addition to her group.
No matter the Hogwarts house or family background, as long as their views on magic aligned with her family's and they were willing to follow, they were welcome on her father's side.
Professor McGonagall came back and had the students follow her into the great hall.
Entering, Cassie and her group kept their eyes forward and posture radiating confidence and grace. Even when some of the first years exclaimed in amazement upon catching sight of the enchanted ceiling, the group of seven barely glanced up, not particularly interested.
When they reached the front of the hall, the first years stopped at the bottom of the steps while Professor McGonagall continued up them.
As they were walking to the front of the hall, the twins caught sight of their elder brothers who were staring at them in disbelief. Percy was even turning red in anger.
Flinching minutely and moving closer to Cassie, the twins startled when they felt a hand grabbing one of their own.
Looking down, they saw that Cassie had noticed their flinch and grabbed their hands in comfort, unseen by anyone else as the three of them were surrounded on all sides by first years.
The twins squeezed Cassie's hands in thanks and were filled with confidence and warmth when she squeezed back.
Straightening their backs and looking forward, Fred and George continued walking, never letting go of Cassie's hands.
After the sorting hat finished its song, Professor McGonagall proceeded to call out the names of the first years to come up and be sorted.
After a single student was sorted to Ravenclaw, Cassie was called up.
"Black, Cassiopeia."
Giving The twins hands one last reassuring squeeze and nodding to her friends, Cassie made her way up the steps and sat upon the stool where the professor placed the hat upon her head.
"My, my. Another Riddle."
Cassie wasn't surprised by the voice speaking in her mind as she had read about this in her father's journals.
"Hello, Alistair." Feeling another welcoming presence in her mind along with Alistair's, Cassie thought, "And hello to you, Lady Hogwarts."
The melodic voice of Lady Hogwarts responded, "Welcome, Heir Slytherin. It's been many a year since a self-aware Heir has walked these halls. Beloved child, I wish you luck in your coming years."
"Thank you, my Lady," Cassie responded.
The voice of Alistair cut in, "Well now, I know just where to sort you. It better be— SLYTHERIN!"
"Thank you, Alistair, Lady Hogwarts."
Climbing off the stool and placing the sorting hat down upon it, Cassie looked towards the Slytherin table who had broken out into polite applause upon her being sorted into their ranks. Giving a nod towards her new head of house, Severus Snape, and glancing at the twins, Cassie gracefully made her way to her new house's table.
Being who she was, Cassie was given polite nods in greeting by the entirety of Slytherin House. Cassie nodded back and sat down with room between her and the closest upper year.
Cassie watched as the rest of the sorting went by, some going to Hufflepuff, others to Gryffindor, and some to Ravenclaw and Slytherin. She was a bit put out by how loud the Gryffindor table was whenever someone was sorted to their house.
The first year who Cassie had decided to keep an eye on, a boy named Cedric Diggory, was sorted into Hufflepuff. 'Interesting,' She thought.
Finally, the first of her friends was called upon to be sorted. Cassie clapped politely with the rest of her house, the Ravenclaws, and some Hufflepuffs when Liliana was sorted to Slytherin. The Gryffindors stayed silent whenever anyone was sorted into Slytherin.
Surprisingly, one of the few Hufflepuffs that clapped was the Diggory boy. 'Yes, I'll definitely need to keep an eye on him,' Cassie thought.
Adrian and Cassius were both sorted into Slytherin with little fanfare.
After Cassius was sorted, the twins steeled themselves for what was to come. Fred was called up first.
"Hm, a Weasley, though unlike the rest. Ah, I see you have already decided your place. Yes, Slytherin would do you well. Very well. And you're prepared for the fallout, too. You need not worry. Young Cassiopeia will not steer you wrong. Good luck, young snake. Better be— SLYTHERIN!"
Fred hopped off the stool and placed the hat down carefully before looking to his twin and nodding. He then made his way over to where Cassie and the other three had saved a spot for him and George.
Sitting down on Cassie's right, between her and the second years, Fred watched as George was called up and then promptly sorted into Slytherin.
George held his head high as he walked over and took the seat to the left of Cassie.
Cassie again took hold of the twins' hands under the table and squeezed gently. When they both looked at her, she nodded over to the Gryffindor table where Percy looked about ready to explode with anger. The twins snickered under their breath at that.
Bill and Charlie just looked confused. Though, when the two saw the twins watching them, they nodded in greeting.
After the sorting was finished with Matteo being sorted into Slytherin, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up to say a few words.
Tuning him out, Cassie looked up at Professor Snape, who looked questioningly at the twins sitting on either side of her.
Cassie, sensing her professor's confusion and interest, mouthed the words 'later' at him.
Snape nodded slightly in understanding and, seeing the Headmaster was finished with his speech and had dismissed the houses, gave the Slytherins permission to head to their dorms.
Following the prefects, two fifth years, down to the dungeons, Cassie and the twins stayed in front of the group with the other four just behind them.
Introductory speeches were made, and the password was given before the first years entered the common room for the first time.
Gasps were heard from all around as the new students caught sight of the beautifully decorated room.
Even Cassie couldn't help the sigh of delight that escaped her upon entering.
After a few more speeches, Professor Snape entered the room with his robes billowing behind him.
The first years lined up in the middle of the room and the Professor came to stand in front of them.
Looking over his new students with a hard stare, Severus eventually spoke, "My name is Severus Snape, though it's Professor Snape to you all. I'm the Potions master and Head of Slytherin House here at Hogwarts." Looking to Cassie he paused, then continued, "Now, usually I would give a speech about the rules and how I expected them to be followed. But, this year, we'll be having a house meeting. Prefects, if you would round up the rest of the House and have them come to the common room, immediately. Thank you." Looking back at the first years, he continued, "Take a seat, the meeting will begin shortly."
Soon, the common room was filled with Slytherins, first through seventh year.
When everyone was present, Severus cleared his throat and began to speak, "This year, I have the pleasure of introducing someone of great importance and status, the daughter of the Dark Lord, Heir Slytherin, Cassiopeia Riddle-Black. Miss Riddle-Black, if you would come stand next to me."
As Cassie stood and walked with a grace and confidence many envied, many looked upon her with awe. The daughter of their Lord was here, in front of them. It was a moment many had been waiting for.
Reaching the spot next to the Professor, Severus then gestured for Cassie to address the waiting crowd.
Looking out upon the many faces filled with reverence, Cassie smiled slightly and began to speak. "My dear Slytherins, it is with great pleasure that I stand before you today. As Professor Snape previously stated, my name is Cassiopeia Riddle-Black, daughter of the Dark Lord who was chosen by Lady Magic herself to rule.
As Heir Slytherin, I welcome the first years, like myself, to Slytherin. And for the rest of you, those who've been here, loyal to our House, our Cause, I thank you.
Now, there's a few rules I must ask you to follow.
One, all Slytherins must show a united front outside of the common room and dorms. If you have a problem with one of your housemates, solve it within the safety of Our walls. Most in the other Houses see us as vile and they'll take any chance to pick us off and divide us. This must not happen.
Two, don't get caught. I don't care what you do as long as no one finds out.
Three, Slytherins stick together. Like I said earlier, most in the other Houses abhor us. Some will even do anything to make our lives miserable. We must have each other's backs and protect one another."
Cassie looked around the room and smiled. She continued, "I expect homework to be done and handed in on time. I want Slytherin to dominate the top ranking for grades in the coming years.
Make contacts from other Houses and recruit, albeit discreetly, for our Cause. Increasing our numbers of likeminded people can only help, as long as they're willing to follow.
If you ever have any problems, go to Professor Snape or a prefect, they're there to help.
Remember, Slytherins stand united, no matter what may come for us."
Cassie finished speaking and gestured for Professor Snape to take over.
Severus stepped forward and nodded to Cassie before he spoke, "Right then, I expect you all to be up bright and early tomorrow and down in the common room, so we can head to breakfast together. Prefects will be leading first years to classes for the first week." Glancing around at the tired faces, Severus continued, "Off to bed with all of you. Miss Black, a word."
As the rest of the students went off in search of bed and the first years were led off to their dorms, Cassie stayed behind to speak to Severus.
Snape looked at Cassie once the common room was cleared of anyone but the two of them. "So, the Weasley twins are in Slytherin. How did that come about?"
Cassie thought for a moment, then answered, "To be honest, I don't know. Harrison, Draco and I met them when we went to Diagon for my school supplies. They and their little brother, Ron, were in the bookshop looking through the section on Pureblood customs. We had immediately recognized them as Weasleys and, intrigued, we approached them." Tilting her head to the side, a thoughtful look came upon Cassie's face.
She continued, "I invited them to sit with me on the train and we spent the time speaking about their views on certain subjects. Apparently, they had known for a long time they would end up in Slytherin. They believe Ron will too." A hard look settled upon her face. "The twins said that their mother will have them disowned when they don't request a re-sort. And they only asked me to get Ron away from that family."
Lowering her voice a bit, Cassie continued, "I won't leave them without a backing. That would be suicide in Slytherin. I have an idea that will work, I just need to get Ron out of that house. I won't leave a future Slytherin in a house of blood traitors. That just won't do."
Snape considered that for a moment than spoke, "And you're not worried their family will do something worse than disowning the twins? Like, say, pulling them out of Hogwarts completely."
A dark look came upon Cassie's face and she spoke with a hiss in her voice. "Let's see them try. The twins are mine now. I won't let anything take them away."
Severus nodded and kept his face blank though he was really holding back laughter. Cassie was so much like her parents, especially her father, in that she became possessive of things and people very quickly. Those poor twins, they didn't know what they were getting into.
Cassie blinked and looked back to Severus. She had gotten lost in her thoughts about what she would do to the blood traitors should they try anything with her twins. "Oh, that's right, Harrison and Draco told me to say hello to you for them."
Severus nodded and spoke, "I will write to them soon."
"Alright," Cassie said and nodded.
"And your idea to help the Weasleys twins, may I be of help?" Snape asked.
Cassie thought for a moment, then nodded. She spent a few minutes speaking with Severus about her plan and what he could do to help.
After confirming their plan, Cassie bid goodnight to Severus and headed up the steps to her dorm, which turned out to be the Slytherin Heir suite. Not that she expected any less.
Severus had seen Harrison for the first time since he was a baby just a day after Harrison first arrived at Malfoy Manor. He had received a floo call from Narcissa asking for his assistance with an emergency case.
Snape had been both angry and full of relief when he saw the patient was Harrison. Angry because the only way he would be in such a condition was if he was abused. Relieved because they had all been looking for the child for years.
After administering potions and discussing Harrison's treatment plan with Narcissa, Severus finally got the chance to get to know the child of his once best friend, Lily Potter nee Evans.
From that day on, Harrison was included in the children's weekly potions lesson. Surprisingly, they found, Harrison was quite gifted at potions.
Severus and Harrison bonded quite quickly, to the point that Harrison was as close to the Professor as Cassie and Draco.