I was so amused by your responses to Avery last chapter - half of you love him and half of you hate him. No matter which side you're on, just know that he won't be going anywhere for a while...

Chapter Six

The Journey Back

King's Cross was in absolute chaos on the morning of September 1st.

The influx of commuters (both magical and not) was not so different from any other day, but the massive thunderstorm raging outside the station seemed to inject everyone with frazzled and frenzied energy that morning. Even Euphemia Potter – a collected, mild-tempered witch usually – ushered her son and his friends toward the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ as if the lightning flashing through the sky had struck her head-on.

"Good heavens, look at the time!" she moaned. "I knew we should have Floo'd but your father insisted that we take a Ministry car—"

She fretted behind them as Cassie glanced up to the clock and saw that it was 10:55. They had five minutes to board the Hogwarts Express or get left behind.

She put on a burst of speed just as Sirius's owl let out a panicked screech beside her. Osbourne – Cassie's own owl – cast the jet-black bird a look of disdain as Sirius rapped the cage with his knuckles.

"Perseus, shut up," he growled. He'd been in a foul mood since they'd woken up that morning – late, to Euphemia's dismay – and the storm plaguing London was only making his attitude worse.

Cassie put her hand on top of his as she and the Marauders wheeled their trolleys to the platform.

"Hey," she said. "It's all right." She brushed her thumb across his knuckles. "We're going to make it on time. There's no need to stress."

"That's not what I'm worried about," he grumbled.

She was about to ask what he meant until Euphemia skidded to a halt before the brick wall separating Platforms 9 and 10. James's mother nearly shoved him toward the barrier.

"Off you go," she said, bestowing a tight hug on her son and kissing both his cheeks. "Have a great term, dears." She took turns hugging each boy and Cassie. "Make sure to write your families – get good marks and try your best – stay out of trouble." She fixed the four boys with a hard look as they all grinned, sheepish. "James, that goes for you, too – if I get one more letter saying that you – you turned all the cauldrons into frogs or something—"

"We've never done anything of the sort," James protested. "But that's not too shabby an idea, Mum—"

"James Fleamont, I'm warning you—"

"All right, all right! No cauldrons into frogs. Got it, Mum."

She heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Just be careful, all of you. And watch out for each other." She touched Cassie's cheek lightly. "Fleamont and I are always here for you. That goes for all of you."

Cassie wrapped James's mother in a tight hug. "Thank you for everything."

Euphemia patted her back fondly before drawing away and giving them all a last tender smile. "Much love, dears. Have a safe journey."

They waved and said their farewells before she disappeared into the busy station. James turned to them and grinned.

"Well," he said, "our sixth year awaits us, lads – and lady," he added with a bow to Cassie. "Shall we get on with it?"

"Please," Cassie said. "We have two minutes left."

James just winked before vanishing through the barrier. Peter followed, then Remus, leaving Cassie and Sirius on the other side.

"I don't want to see her again," said Sirius suddenly. He stared at the brick wall, his eyes dark, and Cassie finally understood why he'd been so withdrawn that morning. It never even occurred to her that they might run into Sirius's mother on the platform if she'd come to see Regulus off.

"Maybe you won't have to," she said. "The train's about to leave, anyway. She might already be gone."

He nodded, gritting his teeth. "Maybe you're right." He sighed. "Let's get this over with."

He stepped through the barrier and vanished.

Cassie sighed, glancing around to make sure no Muggles were watching before following.

Platform 9 ¾ was devoid of its usual mayhem when she crossed over, but it was probably because all the students had already boarded the scarlet steam engine. She spotted the Marauders loading their luggage into a compartment near the back and started toward them, ignoring the parents and families that stood to watch the train leave.

She was only a few feet away from the train when a blinding flash lit up her world, stopping her in her tracks as Osbourne shrieked within his cage.

Dazed, Cassie blinked rapidly to clear her vision, only for another flash to stun her as a clamor of voices began speaking.

"Cassie Alderfair! How do you feel knowing your brother is in prison for the murder of your parents—?"

"Cassie, why weren't you present for your brother's trial when he was sentenced to life in Azkaban—?"

"Miss Alderfair, what is it like knowing that you are now one of the wealthiest witches in the world—?"

"Miss Alderfair! Cassie! Cassiopeia Alderfair!"

When the black spots disappeared from her vision, Cassie found herself swarmed by photographers and reporters. They all jockeyed with each other for better positions as she stared, dumbfounded.

A witch with rigid blonde curls and spectacles studded with rhinestones thrust herself to the front of the pack. She nearly crashed into Cassie and had to catch herself on Cassie's arm, her long crimson nails digging painfully into Cassie's skin before she righted herself.

"Cassie," the witch said, breathless. She smiled and a golden tooth winked at her. "Rita Skeeter, special correspondent for the Daily Prophet. I reached out to you several times over the summer for an exclusive interview—"

"Er, yeah," Cassie said, too distracted watching the Skeeter woman fumble in her crocodile-skin handbag and still disoriented from the sudden attention to say much else. "Listen, I've got to board the train, it's about to leave—"

An acid-green Quick-Quotes Quill flew into her face, released from Rita Skeeter's handbag, along with a notepad. The witch gave no indication that she'd heard her.

"I'm currently working on a biography for Armando Dippet," she said. "It's going to be quite sensational if I do say so myself – but you, my dear." Rita Skeeter smiled at her again, and Cassie tried not to back away from the predatory gleam in her gaze. "You're the one everyone's talking about – the young Alderfair heir. Alone after her parents' tragic demise and her brother's fall from grace—"

"What? I—" Cassie swatted away the quill that had begun writing beside her head and gaped at the lurid green ink it had scrawled on the notepad. "And I am not a poor orphan girl with tears streaming down my rosy cheeks when you bring up my parents' deaths!"

The Hogwarts Express blew a shrill warning just then. Angry and mortified, Cassie shoved her way through the throng of reporters, not even caring if her trolley ran over some of their toes in the progress.

Rita Skeeter kept even pace with her. "Just think of what I can make you, dear! Young, beautiful, wealthy – you have it all in the palm of your hand! With a stroke of my quill, I can make you famous—"

"Shove off," Cassie snapped. She was so close to the compartment. Just a few more steps…

She almost collapsed in relief when Sirius appeared before her, roughly shoving a photographer out of her path to the train. He reached for her as James, Remus, and Peter swooped in and grabbed her trolley, hauling her luggage into the compartment just as the steam engine began to chug.

"Bugger off and leave her alone," Sirius said to the crowd. He didn't raise his voice, but his Black mask had come out – cold, haughty, and dangerous.

Rita Skeeter nearly salivated.

"Sirius Black," she said, her quill poised beside her. "Would you care to address the rumors of you running away from home and being disowned this summer? What exactly is your relationship with Miss Alderfair?"

"No," he said savagely, "and sod off." He practically threw Cassie into the compartment before boarding himself. The reporters swarmed closer, but he gave them all an obscene hand gesture before slamming the door in their faces just as the train began moving.

Cassie sat down heavily in the seat beside Remus. Her breaths were rattling and loud in the silent compartment, and her hands shook so badly she had to put them between her knees and squeeze her legs together.

"Those vile people," she said, her voice tremulous. "Don't they have anything better to do than hound an underage witch going back to school?"

Remus put a hand on her knee. She relaxed slightly at the comforting touch. "No, they don't. They'll do anything for a rubbish story and a quick Galleon. That's not your fault."

Cassie looked at him desperately, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I'm never going to be invisible again, am I?"

He gave her a gentle, sad smile and squeezed her knee. "Probably not. But is that really such a bad thing?"

She had no answer for him.

Once they were safely out of London and Cassie had calmed down, she stretched her arms over her head and announced that she would see them all at Hogwarts.

James turned on her, affronted. "Where are you going?"

Sirius sat up from where his head had been resting in her lap. "Yeah, what gives?"

She stood, grabbed her rucksack, and poked a few treats into Osbourne's cage. The owl hooted sleepily in thanks before hiding his head under his brown wing once more.

When the Marauders still stared at her, confused and offended, she made a face back at them. "I'm going to find Lily, Alice, and Marlene. And no, you may not come with," she added, holding up a hand when James made to jump from his seat. "I haven't seen them since the funeral. I need girl time."

"Then take Peter with you," Sirius said, flopping back on the seat she'd vacated and smirking when Peter said, "Oi! Not funny!"

James pouted. "So, you're ditching us?"

She rolled her eyes. "James, I just spent half the holiday at your house."

"Your point?"

"My point is: don't be needy."

"She's right," Remus said. He smiled at her. "Go find your friends, Cass. We'll see you at the feast."

She stuck out her tongue at James and gave the rest of them a wave before beginning her search for the girls. Even though they'd kept up through letters over the holiday, they'd all been far too busy to ever meet up, and she missed them like mad.

She made her way through the corridor, passing compartments that housed all sorts of students, but none contained her friends. She kept an eye out for any Slytherins, but luckily, they seemed to be in a different part of the train. That she could be grateful for – she doubted they'd forgotten the battle in the bathroom at the end of last term, and she really didn't fancy getting into a duel before she'd even set foot in Hogwarts. Especially if she happened to run into Avery again.

Just the thought of the Slytherin made her scowl. She hadn't told anyone that she'd spoken to him the night of Peter's birthday – and she especially hadn't told anyone that he'd kissed her. Least of all Sirius; he'd likely go berserk if he knew. And though she'd pay good money to watch her boyfriend pummel that snake into the dirt, it didn't matter. Avery made no threats against her and he had nothing to hold over her. If he wanted to delude himself into thinking that he had a chance with her – that she was his hope – then that was his own problem, not hers.

She muscled her way through a group of Hufflepuffs, ignoring the way they stared at her as she passed. After fifteen minutes of fruitless searching, she was just about to give up and go back to the Marauders' compartment when she heard, "Cassie! Over here!"

She looked up, her face splitting into a wide smile when she saw three familiar heads poking out of a compartment door ahead and waving to her.

Muttering a quick apology to the Hufflepuffs, Cassie broke into a jog and positively threw herself into the arms of Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, and Alice Fortescue.

The four girls squealed and giggled as they hugged; Cassie could barely breathe from Alice squeezing her middle so tightly. When they finally broke apart, breathless and beaming, Cassie had to wipe away a few stray tears.

"You all have absolutely no idea how good it is to see you," she said, clasping Alice's hand, who was nearest her.

Lily's smile was watery, but she was as beautiful as ever when she gestured to Cassie. "Come in; sit. Tell us everything."

Cassie kept a grip on Alice's hand as she shrugged off her rucksack and sat down. Alice took the seat next to her and immediately rested her head on Cassie's shoulder, sniffling. Cassie ruffled her short brown hair and smiled; she'd always been closest to Alice, ever since their first year at school, and a piece of her heart she hadn't known she was missing began to fill again now that they were back together.

Lily and Marlene sat across them, both looking well-rested and more colored from their holiday. Marlene's blonde curls draped her shoulders artfully, her blue eyes sparkling, and she grinned at Cassie with her usual mischief, though it was touched by something sharper now. Lily's emerald gaze assessed her, observant as always, and Cassie noticed that she'd cut her hair; Lily's wavy red locks had always been a source of envy for Cassie, but she admired the way it brushed the tops of her shoulders now, adding depth and maturity to her features. Even Alice – with her cropped brown hair, light blue eyes, and bubbly personality – seemed older, more serious.

Perhaps the war was already taking its toll on them.

"Well," Marlene said, lounging back in her seat. "Let's start off easy. How was your holiday, Cass?"

"Good. All things considering." She shrugged. "It was nice, being with my aunt and her family. Away from…everything."

"You said you stayed with Potter the rest of the time, right?" Lily asked. She kept her expression neutral, but Cassie wondered if that was a glint of worry in her eyes – a question she didn't want to voice aloud.

She stored that information away for later and nodded. "Yeah. Sirius, Remus, and Peter were there, too."

Marlene smirked. "And?"

Cassie stared at her blankly. "And what?"

They all groaned. Even Alice pulled her head back to stare at Cassie, incredulous.

"Don't be thick," she said. "You were with Sirius for weeks—"

"—Out of school—" Lily added.

"—And you two are dating," Marlene said. "So, did you do it?"

Cassie frowned. "Are you asking if I shagged Sirius?"

The girls groaned again.

"Yes, you bloody idiot." Marlene rolled her eyes. "Come on – give us details!"

"Er, we didn't," Cassie said. Her face grew warm when her friends stared at her in disbelief. "What? It's the truth!" She crossed her arms. "I haven't even seen him…undressed."

"What?" Alice squawked.

Cassie's face burned with the heat of a thousand suns. "I've told you this before! It's not like I don't want to do anything with him – because I do – it's just – nothing ever goes the way I plan." She hung her head. "I made a joke to him before we started dating – that I wanted to be courted like a proper pure-blood. I'm afraid…that he took it seriously." She sighed. "Or maybe he just doesn't want to. Maybe he thinks I'm a prude and that I don't want to." She put her chin in her hands. "We've never really had the opportunity to talk about it more. Even when I'm…with him…all I can think about is not thinking. Does that make sense?"

"Not one bit," Alice chirped. Her smile dimmed when Lily glared at her. "What?"

"I think it makes perfect sense," Lily said. She turned back to Cassie, her gaze earnest. "You don't have to rush things, Cass. Especially with everything you've gone through recently." She bit her lip at the mention of the hippogriff in the room and the compartment tensed.

Cassie let out a tight breath. "Yeah." She rubbed a hand over her face. "Carlisle's dead."

Lily nodded. "We know. It was in the Prophet a few weeks ago – well, barely. It was crammed into a small corner near the back."

"Death Eaters?" Marlene asked Cassie.

"It's suspected – which means yes," she said. "At least, that's what James's dad said. He's an Auror."

Alice shuddered. "That's so scary. I mean, good riddance she's gone. But to go out like that…"

Lily looked back to Cassie, hesitating before saying, "And Will?"

Cassie's heart plunged into an icy cavern at the mention of her brother.

"In Azkaban." Her words were clipped. "For life. I haven't said anything to him since the funeral. And I don't plan to."

The three girls exchanged a glance that she pretended not to see.

"Well, we're still here." Lily spread her hands. "We made it to our sixth year. That's something to celebrate."

Cassie snorted. "Yes, thank Merlin that I haven't been murdered yet." When Lily paled, she winced. "Sorry. Too soon?"

Marlene burst out laughing. "Oh, Cass. I missed you."

"Yeah," Alice said, bumping Cassie's shoulder with her own. "Life sure gets boring whenever you're not around causing trouble."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "I don't cause trouble – trouble just happens to find me."

"We know," Lily said with a small smile. "Let's just hope that this year, things can go back to normal."

"With my luck?" Cassie rested her head on the back of her seat and sighed. "I doubt it."

Hogwarts Castle loomed out of the darkness like a ghost ship.

Its high turrets and towers speared through the heavy clouds and rain that had followed them from London, its dark stones flickering white whenever lightning danced across the sky. The windows blazed with golden light, beckoning the returning students with warmth and cheer despite the dreadful storm. Cassie, Lily, Marlene, and Alice dashed up the stairs, through the courtyard, and into the Entrance Hall, soaked through and chilled to the bone as thunder rolled across the distant Black Lake.

Cassie wrung out her hair and said a quick prayer for the first-years trekking across the lake in their boats with Hagrid before pulling out her wand. "Ugh. If we have wards to keep out Muggles and Death Eaters, then can we get some to keep out the weather, too?" She waved her wand, muttering "Impervius" to dry herself as her friends did the same.

No one answered her, as just then the Marauders appeared.

"Evans!" James said. His hand leaped to his hair on reflex, slicking back the wet strands. He grinned at Lily. "Did you miss me?"

Cassie mentally slapped her forehead at his arrogance. Alice and Marlene exchanged a wary glance, ready to intervene should things get ugly, but Lily surprised everyone when she merely shrugged.

"I certainly didn't miss your attitude, Potter," she said coolly.

Cassie stared. The jab was there – the insult Lily always had reserved for James whenever he decided to annoy her. But the venom that usually accompanied it was gone. Instead, Lily gestured for Cassie, Alice, and Marlene to follow her.

"Come on," she said. "The Sorting starts soon."

Alice and Marlene went with her, but Cassie hung back, bewildered. Even James seemed gobsmacked.

"Five words without a Bat-Bogey." Remus whistled. "I think that's a new record for you, Prongs."

Sirius's eyes darted between Cassie and the Great Hall where Lily had gone. "What's wrong with Evans?"

Cassie frowned at him. "What are you on about?"

"That" —Sirius pointed after Lily— "is not normal."

Cassie shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe she finally got tired of taking the piss out of poor Prongsie."

James wrenched his head back to her from where he'd been staring after Lily. "One: never call me that again." He held up a finger. "And two: tell me how to keep this going."

"Now what are you on about?"

"Evans!" He waved his arms wildly. "This is the first time since third year that she hasn't looked at me like a Dungbomb she found on the bottom of her shoe!" He gripped Cassie's shoulders. "How do I make it happen again?"

"First of all, by not being a freak," she said, prying his fingers off her robes. "And I already told you that I'm not getting in between you and Lily. If you want this to happen, you have to do it yourself."

"Can we worry about this later?" Sirius said, grabbing Cassie's hand. "I want to get good seats, so we're not trapped by the firsties."

"Good call," Remus said, leading the way into the Great Hall before James could protest. Cassie held out her other hand for James and he took it, looking quite lovesick as she pulled him along to the Gryffindor table.

The magical ceiling swirled with inky clouds and threads of lightning amongst the floating candles as they sat down next to Lily, Alice, and Marlene. (James, thankfully, refrained from drooling on the empty golden plates before them when Lily cast him a cursory glance.)

The Hall buzzed with chatter and excitement as the students waited for the Sorting Ceremony to start. Cassie caught a few glances snuck her way and heard some whispers, but she tuned them out as best she could, not wanting a repeat from earlier with the reporters on Platform 9 ¾. Besides, she was hardly the biggest topic for gossip at the moment. Marlene had informed them on the train that Karen Hartley – a fellow Gryffindor – had been pulled out of Hogwarts and gone into hiding with her Muggle family due to the increasing violence against Muggle-borns. And when Cassie glanced around the Hall, spotting a dozen or so empty seats along the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw tables, she guessed that Karen would not be the only face they'd be missing that year.

"Oh, look!" Alice said, tugging on Cassie's sleeve. "The staff table – down on the left. I think that's our new Defense teacher!"

They all followed Alice's direction and looked up to the staff table. Indeed, at the left wing of the table – directly in front of the Slytherins – sat a wizard that Cassie had never seen at Hogwarts before.

He was the youngest one at the staff table by far – perhaps in his early thirties, if she had to guess. His dark hair was long, falling past his shoulders with the front tied back from his face. He was incredibly handsome, if not for the thick scars that spiderwebbed across one half of his face. In the candlelight, the scars stood out even harsher against his russet skin. As the last of the stragglers filed into the Hall and the students were left waiting, attention turned to the newcomer and speculation broke out. The wizard didn't seem to care, though; he simply lounged in his seat, silent and brooding.

"I'm equal parts terrified and aroused right now," Marlene murmured as they stared at him.

Alice choked. "Mar! He's a teacher! You can't say that."

"Says who?"

"He looks like a total badass," Sirius said. "I wonder how he got those scars?"

"He seems mean," Peter squeaked.

"Will you all stop staring?" Remus broke in, exasperated. "It's rude."

But there was no need for Remus's admonishment, for just then, Professor McGonagall marched in with a stool and the Sorting Hat, leading a line of frightened first-years into the Hall.

"Godric, this is so boring," Sirius muttered beside her. "Why can't they just do this in private while the rest of us eat? I'm starving."

Cassie elbowed him playfully. "I'm sure everyone was saying the same thing when that was us up there, too. Patience."

He pecked her cheek. "Always am." Her face flushed when she suddenly remembered her conversation with the girls on the train. He brushed a finger down the side of her neck when no one was looking. "Why are you blushing?"

"It's hot in here," she lied. The Great Hall was certainly not the place where she wished to discuss what was on her mind.

His breath hit the shell of her ear when he chuckled, and her spine locked. "You've always been a terrible liar, you know that?"

The Sorting Ceremony started, and the Hat began to sing its annual song. She looked to him over her shoulder when everyone's attention shifted to the Sorting Hat.

"I'll tell you later," she whispered.

"No fair. I don't want to listen to this rubbish. Just tell me."

She shook her head, facing forward again, but he tugged on her hair. "Caasssiieeee…"

She smacked his hand away. "Stop it. You're acting like a child."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and slid her closer along the bench. She hissed, partly from annoyance and partly because being near him was only making her face redder.

"What's got you so riled up, Princess?" he asked, keeping his voice low as the Sorting Hat concluded its song and applause broke out.

"Nothing that needs to be discussed at this exact moment," she said back, clapping along with the rest as Professor McGonagall read off the first name to be Sorted.

"Humor me." When she said nothing, his grip tightened on her waist. "You know I'm not going to give up until you tell me."

She crossed her arms.

"All right. Can I guess?"

"If that's what you want."

He fell silent, thinking. Cassie sat, watching the Sorting and clapping whenever someone became a Gryffindor. Several names went by without a word from Sirius and she began to relax, figuring he'd given up, until he leaned in and said, "Got it."

"And your answer?"

"Should I tell you, or shall I just wait until later to demonstrate?"

Her stomach erupted with butterflies. She couldn't even say anything to him for fear that she would vomit one out if she opened her mouth. There was no possible way he could've guessed what she'd wanted to talk about – but then again, Sirius had always been unfairly perceptive.

She swallowed and forced the word out. "Later."

She sensed him smirk at the back of her head. "As you wish."

Oh, Godric. Her body went tense and loose at the same time, and she cursed violently in her head. Damn Sirius Black and his effortless ease to charm and flirt. And damn herself for giving into him without even bothering to put up a fight.

These hormones were going to be her death.

She started when the Hall erupted with applause around them, and Sirius grinned at her reaction.

"The Sorting's over," he said, clapping along. "The feast is about to start."

Cassie looked up, indeed seeing Professor McGonagall departing with the Sorting Hat. Her face burned. Had she really been that wrapped up to not notice what was going on around her?

Professor Dumbledore stood from the head of the staff table. His snow-white beard looked ethereal in the golden light, his half-moon spectacles winking like tiny stars. He raised a hand and the Hall fell silent.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he said. "Despite the weather, I am glad to see that most of you made it here without issue – especially those of you who are joining us for the first time." A few scattered cheers went up around the Hall. The first-years looked utterly terrified at being addressed by the Headmaster. "Now, before we begin our Start-of-Term feast, I do have a few start-of-term announcements to make."

He swept a hand along the staff table. "Firstly, it is my pleasure to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor – Professor Lochan Staghart!"

There was tentative applause that turned into mutters and exclamations as Professor Staghart got to his feet. Even the fire in Cassie's gut was quelled when she took in their new professor more fully.

"Godric, he's huge," Alice whispered.

Marlene grinned. "I hope."

Alice was right; though not nearly as tall or wide as the gamekeeper Hagrid, Professor Staghart had an intimidating stature. He stood at least a head taller than Professor Dumbledore – a tall wizard already – and beneath his rich red robes, he was well-endowed with muscle.

He gave a slight nod to the House tables as Professor Dumbledore continued.

"Professor Staghart has kindly taken time out of his busy and highly dangerous career to teach for us at Hogwarts. As a Curse-Breaker working for both Gringotts Wizarding Bank and the Ministry of Magic, he has proved an exceptionally talented and dedicated wizard, and I am confident in his aptitude to pass on all he has learned to the rest of you."

"Blimey." James let out a low whistle. "A Curse-Breaker? That's some serious shit."

Lily nodded. "I heard it's an incredibly difficult job – and deadly. I bet that's how he got those scars."

Professor Staghart sat down and Professor Dumbledore went on.

"I must also inform you all of some basic rules here at Hogwarts. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that Dungbombs and dueling in the corridors are expressly prohibited. He has also filled out a list of banned or forbidden objects which can be found in its entirety on his office door located here on the ground floor."

James snickered. "Don't worry; it'll be gone by tomorrow."

Peter blinked. "How?"

James just rolled his eyes. "Hopeless."

"It is also my duty to reiterate that the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to students." His sharp blue eyes traveled to the Gryffindor table. Cassie and the Marauders shared a sheepish glance. "Given its name, I'd hoped that particular rule would stick, but we all need a reminder from time to time."

There were a few chuckles as Professor Dumbledore raised his hands. "But now, the feast!" Food and drink appeared along the House tables, and a mad dash ensued as everyone made to fill their plates and goblets. Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Dig in!"

Cassie took his words to heart, and by the time the feast was finished, and they began the long trek to Gryffindor Tower, she felt close to bursting with the amount of food she'd eaten.

They gave the Fat Lady the password ("hear me roar" – "Oh, how charming!" she tittered. "My little lions!") and climbed through the portrait hole. When they emerged into the common room, James spread his arms and cried, "Home sweet home!"

Cassie agreed wholeheartedly as she looked around the cozy tower room. Being back at Hogwarts, she felt like she was grounded again. Here, she was safe. Here, the real world went away again, if only for a little while.

How long her peace lasted, of course, was another matter entirely.

Next Chapter: The Curse-Breaker