Borrowed from OoTP. I have the 7-book series on kindle, so it comes out as like one big book. According to the Kindle Version, its pages 1950-1951

Borrowed from OoTP. I have the 7-book series on kindle, so it comes out as like one big book. According to the Kindle Version, it's page 1956

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER – JUST BORROWING

Getting to Kings Cross the next day was easy. Apparating onto a safe station platform had to be done in a timed formation. The Malfoy's time was 10:40. Cassi thanked them both profusely. Draco seemed impatient and rolled his eyes at her as she let his mother give her a last kiss on the cheek. They said their goodbyes to Draco, and he pulled her over to Crabbe and Goyle. "You two, I need you to watch out for Cassi for me. I need to meet the other prefects and get instructions from the Head Boy and Girl before I can come back." Crabbe and Goyle nodded thickly.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Cassi said formally. The boys nodded at her. Fantastic, she thought to herself, mute giants sent to watch out for me. What a fun trip this will be. Draco turned and walked onto the train. Cassi followed him, Crabbe and Goyle flanking them like bodyguards. She sat down in the section Draco had already claimed for them, and Crabbe and Goyle sat across from her, staring at her.

"Make sure you get her what she needs," Draco said. The boys nodded at him, and he turned to leave. Cassi rolled her eyes at his back. What the hell was going on? She wasn't a toddler. She could damn well take care of herself.

People stared pointedly at her, whispering behind their hands. She frowned slightly, then she realized her story had probably been told, and likely badly. She looked at Crabbe and Goyle, "So how many people did you two tell about me?" She arched an eyebrow, her tone slightly accusatory. Crabbe spluttered as Goyle grunted, "It wasn't us!"

"Oh, so you know who it was then?" Cassi asked sharply, leaning forward. "Draco said get me what I need. What I need is information. Spill it," she commanded.

Just then, the door opened, and a few people walked in. "So," said a tall, good-looking, dark boy, "You're the one everyone is talking about." Sitting down on the bench next to Cassi, he crossed his legs and stretched his arms along the back of their shared bench.

"And who might you be?" Cassi said cooly, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Blaise Zabini, at your service madame." He said with the most photoshoot-ready smile Cassi had ever seen. That bloke Lockhart would be jealous.

"And pray tell what is everyone saying?" Cassi said in a hiss most reminiscent of her father.

"They're saying the most ridiculous things," Zabini said with a small chuckle.

"If they're so ridiculous, what interest could you probably take in it?" Cassi asked in a bored tone.

"Well, curiosity, I suppose," Zabini said, trying to hold her interest.

"Curiosity killed the cat," Cassi said, her eyes boring into his. She pushed in hard, expecting him to have occlumency shields. He didn't have any. She plowed into his mind like a rampaging hippogriff. She could see it all plain as day. They knew she was from America. Some called her mother a coward for running. They knew she had killed, but some didn't believe it. They knew she was Snape's kid. Cassi withdrew savagely, causing Zabini to gasp in pain and hold his temples. "Told you," Cassi said, smirking. She got up and left the cabin leaving Zabini rubbing his temples and Crabbe and Goyle staring after her.

Cassi stalked down the train breathing heavily. Standing by one of the doors watching the countryside fly by, trying to calm her emotions and center herself. Taking a few more deep breaths, she walked on. Eventually, finding Fred and George Weasley sitting with a black boy with dreadlocks. They smiled at her, and she frowned. She hadn't thought about this eventuality.

Opening their cabin door, she pointed to Fred and asked, "May I have a word with you?" The twins looked at one another curiously. Fred excused himself and joined Cassi in the hallway. "Fred, can you do me a favor and make sure you tell everyone to pretend not to know me? Things are developing. It could kill my cover. I'll be in touch how and where I can. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure, I can." He said, smiling down at her. At his assurance, she turned and began walking away, turning to smile at him over her shoulder as she went. She heard him say she was new and lost as he slid the door closed.

Walking back to her cabin, she thought almost wistfully about being back in the cabin with Fred and George. They were fun and effortless. She didn't have to prove anything to them or show them how much power she held. There was no hierarchy among them—just fun.

On her way back to the carriage, she caught snippets of whispered conversations. Words like killer, greasy bat, and death eater floated her way. Her anger flared, and a torch on the wall closest to her burst into flame. She turned slowly and gave every eye that dared meet hers a deadly glare. "Why so quiet? You're all happy to talk about me when you think I can't hear you." Cassi hissed barely above a whisper. She paused to watch them all shift in their seats. "Cowards, the lot of you." She sneered as she walked away.

Shit. Cassi thought to herself. If this is how being with other kids was supposed to go, then maybe being alone is better. She sighed and centered herself breathing slowly. Not really paying attention to the direction her feet were going, she nearly collided with the witch pushing the trolly.

"Anything off the trolly, dear?" The witch asked with a kind smile. Cassi smiled back. "No, thank you, madame," Cassi replied.

Cassi flattened herself against the wall to allow the witch to pass with the trolly and continued on her way up the corridor. Finally, Cassi made her way back to the carriage. Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini were still there, along with Draco and another girl Cassi had never met.

"Where have you been?" Draco sneered at her.

Frowning at him, she said, "Checking out the train. Why, are you my father now?" Cassi said with a sneer to match Draco's own.

Draco flushed, "No, I just….my father wanted me to look out for you. Never mind." He said, huffing.

Cassi turned to the girl, "I'm Cassi; good to meet you," Cassi said, holding her hand out to the girl.

"Pansy, Pansy Parkinson. New Slytherin prefect." The girl said, beaming at her.

"Oh, excellent, just like Draco. Well done." Cassi said, trying to be excited for this girl she had just met. Clearly, she was looking forward to the position.

She spent the rest of the journey being introduced to other Slytherins, talking about classes, and beginning to get genuinely excited for the feast. As the Hogwarts Express neared Hogsmeade station, they all pulled on their robes. She didn't feel as silly when they were all wearing the same things. When they pulled into the station, carriages were waiting for them, drawn by black-winged creatures with staring white eyes. Cassi was just about to ask about the creatures when she saw Potter staring at them as well. Looking around, she saw so many others ignoring their presence. Making a mental note to look them up in the library, she ignored them for now.

The carriages that were presumably taking them to the castle jostled and bumped along. She and her carriage mates laughed at a joke Goyle told. She hadn't thought him capable. Maybe he was just shy around new people. When the carriage reached the castle, she followed them up the stairs and into the entrance hall. She saw her father overseeing the incoming students. They made eye contact, and he nodded almost imperceptibly at her. Draco grabbed her hand and began pulling her along to the Slytherin table. She saw her father's expression darken at their touch.

They were all chatting happily. Cassi gazed around in awe. Sure, she had seen snippets of the Great Hall in her mother's memories, but to actually be here and sit under this ceiling that looked like the night sky. And the sheer amount of people. She had never been around this many wizarding kids before. She saw her father and the other professors join the head table. A door off the Great Hall opened, and Professor McGonagall walked in carrying a small stool and that very dirty hat she had tried on over the summer. Trailing behind her, and looking completely terrified, was a gaggle of small children that could only be first years. McGonagall placed the hat down on the stool, and Cassi watched in amazement as a rip opened at the brim, and it began to sing. She had to remind herself to close her mouth. After the sorting hat sang its song, which she was assured by Crabbe, happened every year, first years were sorted.

As the last student, Zeller, Rose was sorted into Hufflepuff, McGonagall picked up the stool and hat and brought them to a room off the hall, returning to her seat at the head table in time for Dumbledore to rise and greet the students.

"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands - welcome back." (1) He said warmly, beaming around at all the students. "I would like to make one addition to our new hands. Cassiopeia, please come forward." Dumbledore said, looking at her directly. Cassi swallowed hard and stood. Dumbledore motioned for her to join him. Cassi slipped out of her seat and walked to the front to join Dumbledore. "I would like to introduce you all to Miss Cassiopeia Black-Snape" Cassi turned to glance at him as a muttering broke out all over the Great Hall. He went on like he hadn't noticed. "She is a transfer student who joined our school over the summer. As you can see, she has already been sorted into Slytherin House. Let us all welcome her." Cassi's face was burning with embarrassment as the Slytherin table burst into cheers and clapping. After the tumult died down, Dumbledore allowed her to return to her seat. On her way, she shot a glare at her father and sat back down by Draco.

"What was that about," Draco asked confusedly, frowning at her. She could see the others listening hard. So rather than answering truthfully, she pulled a face and shrugged her shoulders.

She dimly heard Dumbledore say "Tuck in." and food appeared all over the table. Cassi's eyes opened wide for a moment. She had never seen so much food in one spot. It all looked delicious. Everything she tried was perfect, right down to the apple crumble for dessert.

When everyone had finished eating, and the noise level in the Great Hall began to rise, Dumbledore got to his feet. He began his announcements with a list of rules Mr. Filch had pinned to his office door. He continued on and mentioned a change of staffing. A woman named Grubbly-Plank would take Care of Magical Creatures, and another woman called Deloris Umbridge would take Defense Against the Dark Arts. Dumbledore went on to talk about quidditch tryouts when he suddenly paused and cast a glance at the little witch dressed all in pink. She gave a fussy little cough, and it appeared as though she was preparing to make a speech. Dumbledore sat down and looked as if he was eager to hear what she had to say. Cassi frowned at her, wondering why she had interrupted. But she was not the only one.

By everyone's reaction, this was not how things were usually done. Her father's face had turned to stone, and Professor McGonagall looked as though she was trying to murder the woman with her stare. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were staring open-mouthed at the woman. No, this is definitely not how things were done.

Cassi listened to the woman drone on. Her speech had a prepared quality, as though she had memorized it. Crabbe and Goyle were sitting there in a stupor. Goyle had actually fallen asleep and begun to drool on himself. Cassi made a disgusted face while Pansy sniggered quietly, and Crabbe shoved his shoulder to wake him up. This woman, this Professor Umbridge, didn't seem to notice, or maybe she didn't care that she was completely losing her audience. Muttering had broken out around the hall. People were chatting to friends, and a very odd-looking girl had pulled out a magazine and was reading it upside down. Cassi tried to pay attention, but this was getting ridiculous. If this was what school was actually like, she had no idea how she would learn anything.

Umbridge plowed on for what seemed like an eternity. "Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent of preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited." (2) Umbridge finally finished. She took her seat, looking pleased. Dumbledore began to clap, and a few students and teachers joined him, but many weren't even aware she had finished speaking.

Dumbledore stood again and continued his announcements about quidditch like nothing had happened. After he'd finished his announcements, he bade them all goodnight. Draco and Pansy stood and started chivying the first years toward their common room. The older students milled around talking for a few minutes while the crowd in the hall thinned. Cassi had overheard one of the older prefects tell some older students the password, so she was reasonably confident she'd be able to get in without issue.

Everyone fell silent around her, and their eyes were fixed at a point just above her head. She smirked and turned, saying, "Good evening, Father."

Scanning the students around her, he said, "Shouldn't you all be on your way to your common room?" It was clear they were all terrified of him because they scattered. Shaking her head slightly, she saw her father's expression change. "Are you not part of Slytherin? Why are you not on your way to your common room?" He wasn't scolding, but his meaning was all the same.

"Nice to see you too." She said with a smile. "Good night. See you in the morning." She touched his forearm slightly as she passed by him, walking with the others toward her common room.

When she got to the blank stretch of wall that was the entrance to the common room, she said, "Aconite," and the door slid open to reveal a dimly lit room. The couches and chairs were all a rich green soft leather, with dark wood embellishments. The floor was the same rich deep wood color. The hangings around the dark windows were the same rich green but velvet. Iron sconces hung on the wall held candles. There was a large stone fireplace with a roaring fire bathing the room in a warm glow. There were several tables scattered around the room, presumably for studying. The silver serpent of Slytherin was all over the room, but it wasn't overdone. It was a beautiful room, just like her mother's memories of it. She went to the right without needing to be told and found the door with the little iron plaque shaped like a snake marked 5th years.

Cassi entered the room and found her trunk at the foot of her bed. There was a small wardrobe at every bed and a small nightstand on the other side. Cassi took out her wand and flicked it at her trunk. Her clothing flew out and righted itself within the wardrobe, and shoes and boots went to the bottom. Lastly, her cloak hung itself on a peg inside the wardrobe door. Her books she left in her trunk, along with the school bag her father bought her. Her small bag, the one she came to Hogwarts with, the one with her whole world inside of it, that bag, was stored in a small hidden compartment of her trunk under a concealment spell and an antitampering jinx. For good measure, she spelled the compartment with a memory jinx that would cause anyone who was not her to forget they were looking for something if they tried to open that particular compartment.

By the time she was settled and changed into her pajamas, the other girls entered the dorm. Pansy Parkinson greeted her and introduced the other two girls Daphne Greengrass who was slightly built and had light brown hair, and Millicent Bullstrode, who, by contrast, had quite broad shoulders and massive forearms with dark brown hair and dark eyes.

Cassi grabbed a small bag of sweets out of her trunk and offered them to the other girls. Everyone took some and joined her on her bed. They sat chatting happily, eating sweets and telling Cassi all the gossip. They began laughing madly at something Daphne said when their door opened abruptly, and Snape walked in. The laughter died instantly.

"Yes?" Cassi said, smirking at him.

"It's nearly midnight. Bed. Now. All of you." He said in a low voice that nonetheless carried around the room. The girls hastened to obey. Cassi, who was already in bed, glared at her father. His expression hardened, "Outside, now." Cassi hopped off the bed and strutted out of the room into the hallway. Snape grabbed her by her upper arm just as the door closed behind her.

"Two days away, you are acting like you have no sense." Snape hissed. The hand on her upper arm was vicelike. Cassi winced in pain. He dragged her through the common room, out the door, down the hall, and into his office. He let her go after he closed the door. Cassi rubbed her arm, not making a sound.

"How did it go with the Malfoys?" Snape asked conversationally. Cassi gaped at him. She wondered if it was some sort of subterfuge or if he was actually bipolar.

"So….an act then?" She asked, eyeing him warily. "Only your mood swings are giving me whiplash." Cassi finished. He glared at her and nodded slightly. "It went fine, I suppose. Mrs. Malfoy is oddly affectionate, and Mr. Malfoy is harsh and cold. Quite standoffish. But things went better after dinner got started." She said, still rubbing her still sore arm. "Of course, that was after I accused him of poisoning me and after him threatening to beat me. But you know," Cassi shrugged, "after all that Mr. Malfoy said, Draco was supposed to let it be known that I was under the family's protection." Cassi said, taking a sweet out of her robe pocket, removing the wrapper, and popping it into her mouth. Snape pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You accused him of poisoning you?" He asked, his voice strained. He closed his eyes as though praying for patience, still pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Mm-hmm, sure did. It had the desired effect. It let him know that I knew he had all the power, and if he wished it, I'd be dead." Cassi said, curling up in the chair. "Well, maybe I'd be dead. Depends on the poison, really. I think he'd be surprised if he meant to kill me and I didn't die." At Snape's look of confusion, Cassi went on, "I took a swig of antidote for common poisons and a sip of antidote for veritaserum before going down to dinner, you know, just in case." She said with a shrug. Snape gaped at her.

"What?" Cassi asked, looking at the stunned look on her father's face. "Did you think I'd walk willingly into the lion's den without a plan? Do you really think she taught me nothing? My mother was a Black, after all. Surviving in her own house was no picnic." She finished a little annoyed.

"Oh, and next time you decide to change my name, would you mind giving me a little warning? It was a bit of a shock when Professor Dumbledore blurted it out like that." She went on seeing the mask-like look return to his face. Shit, she hurt his feelings. "It's not that I mind. I just," she paused. "I wish it would have come from you." Cassi finished kindly. His face began to relax. Cassi yawned hugely.

"Bed, let's go. We can finish this conversation another time." He stood and walked around his desk to Cassi's chair. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "And-" He paused, looking odd "Well done," He said. It was almost a whisper. She smiled up at him.

"Subterfuge?" she said, cringing. He nodded. As they got to the door, she could feel the change in his demeanor. Shit! As the door opened, he grabbed her ear and dragged her out of the room. Shit! Bullshit subterfuge. Being a spy is bullshit! Wincing in pain, Cassi tried to keep up. For a show, it was damned convincing. Finally reaching her dormitory door, he pushed it open without knocking and flung her toward her bed. "One more sound, and you will regret it," Snape hissed, closing the door behind him. Rubbing her ear furiously, she climbed into bed.

"Are you okay?" Millicent hissed from the bed next to hers.

Cassi said in the lightest whisper she could manage, "Yeah, I've had worse." Cassi slipped her wand under her pillow and said, "Night."

The other girls chorused back in a whisper, "Night." Cassi smiled into her pillow

The next morning came early. A little too early for Cassi's liking. She got up, grumbling with the rest of the girls, and got ready. She decided putting up her hair would likely be the best bet since she didn't know what classes she would have. No one was taking their bags or books, so she followed suit. They met some of the boys in the common room and went down to breakfast together.

Breakfast was quite noisy. Everyone was chatting happily and enjoying a delicious breakfast. There was everything you could possibly want. Steaming tureens of porridge, fruits, granola, bacon and eggs, toast, pastries, coffee and tea, and a variety of juices. Cassi pulled a platter of eggs and bacon toward herself, wordlessly summoned some toast and jam, and grabbed some coffee. Her father was walking down the table, passing out schedules. She frowned at the schedule. Charms first, then a break? Double potions, then lunch? Why are there so many breaks? Could this possibly be correct?

"Excuse me, Professor Snape. Is this the complete schedule?" Cassi asked, feeling confused.

He smirked down at her, "Is your schedule unsatisfactory?" Snape asked sardonically.

"No, Sir, not unsatisfactory." She looked around to see who was listening, "It's just, there are so many breaks." She finished the last part in a whisper. She was genuinely confused. Her mother had her running from sun up till sundown. She only got a half day off on Sunday. How does anyone learn anything here, Cassi thought to herself.

"If you find yourself bored, believe me, I will find something for you to do. Go now, and do not embarrass me." Snape whispered back; he looked irritated. Frowning at him, she followed the others to their dorms to get their books and then to Charms.

Professor Flitwick began the class by lecturing them about the O.W.L. exams that were coming up at the end of the year. Everyone looked a little fearful of these exams. Cassi supposed she should take them seriously. She sat up a little straighter and tried to listen.

"These examinations are crucial to your future progress. They will determine the classes you are permitted to take into the 6th and 7th year. So please, do take them seriously." Professor Flitwick said in a grave tone. "Today, we will be reviewing summoning and color change charms in preparation for more difficult work later this week. Wands out! Let me see what you can do," He finished cheerfully.

Cassi spent the period changing the cushions into lurid colors and patterns, then sending them flying across the room into neat piles. Some of the students were having a hard time, Crabbe and Goyle, for instance. Their cushions randomly burst into flame or simply exploded into a puff of stuffing and fabric. She couldn't understand it. This was supposed to be review. How did they pass last year? Before Cassi knew it, the bell was ringing. She turned to Pansy and asked incredulously, "That's it?! Class is really over?"

"I know!" Pansy commiserated. "I was having a lot of fun with all the colors. Shame it's over." Wondering what, if anything, they'd be learning today, she followed Pansy outside for break. Break? Merlin, this place was going to make her soft.

Double potions was next. She lined up with the rest of the Slytherins outside the Potions lab. It appeared to be a double lesson with the Gryffindors. This ought to be interesting, she thought to herself. The door to the classroom opened, and silence fell immediately.

"In," Snape said.

Everyone filed in. The Slytherins went to the front of the classroom, and the Gryffindors seemed to prefer the back. Cassi sat at a nearly empty table with a round face Gryffindor boy and Hermione, whom she had to pretend not to know. She really wanted to talk to Hermione. Cassi had enjoyed her company and studying with her in Grimmauld place. This spy business was going to be annoying.

Snape started the lesson similar to Flitwick, lecturing on the importance of O.W.L. exams and threatening them all with 'his displeasure should they fail to obtain an O.W.L.,' which by the looks on some of their faces, looked like it included disembowelment.

"Today, we will be learning the Draft of Peace, which I assure you will come up in your O.W.L exams." He flicked his wand at the board, and the ingredients and directions appeared there. Cassi groaned inwardly. She thought for sure it would be something difficult. Ok, sure, you had to make sure you were stirring in the correct direction, it did change often, but this was far from hard. Sighing again, she shuffled over to the students' store cupboard with the rest of the class and picked up the ingredients she would need for the potion.

When she regained her seat, she got to work, silently chopping or slicing ingredients and placing them in the order she needed to add them to the cauldron. She could feel eyes on her, watching her work. She didn't care. She enjoyed potions, probably most of all. She was at home in front of a cauldron. Cassi took a deep breath and allowed her magic to flow out of her, taking in the scents from her bubbling cauldron. She felt him before she saw him. Her father was behind her, watching her work.

Coming up behind her silently, he asked, "Where is your book?"

"It's in my bag, Sir. I don't need it for this." Cassi replied without looking up.

"Stay after class, Miss Snape." Her father said silkily. She grimaced slightly at the name. She wasn't used to it yet.

"Yes, Sir." She said, frowning, wondering what in the world she could have done now. She got back to brewing her potion. By the time the class was over, she was farther along than anyone else. As the class filed out, Snape levitated the cauldrons to his back room in preparation for the next class. Cassi wondered how he would know whose cauldron was who's.

Cassi walked up to his desk and waited for him to return. When he did, she asked, "You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"Yes. You seem frustrated. How is your first day?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Honestly?" Cassi asked, and without waiting for an answer, she said, "Boring. I've learned nothing new. The pace is that of a sloth on vacation. Why the hell are there so many breaks when no one should be taxed by this travesty of an education? AND Crabbe nearly set me on fire in Charms!" Without realizing it, her voice was raised. The last thing she needed was for someone to hear her yelling at her father. He was watching her. She took a deep breath and shook her head, "Forget it. It's just something I have to get used to."

She grimaced, sitting in the chair in front of his desk. "Father, this isn't going to work. I'm going to shrivel up here, learning nothing. I'll lose my edge." Her voice sounded almost desperate. "I don't even have any homework. What am I supposed to do with myself?"

At her desperate pronouncement, he actually burst out laughing. She had never heard him laugh before. It was rich and full. She looked up at him, wondering what in the world he could be laughing at when she was so desperate.

"What have I done to have deserved a child like you?" He asked, still laughing. "Do not fret, my girl. I'll ensure you have plenty to keep you busy and your mind active. Enjoy your first day, and learn your way. Learn about your classmates and the teachers. We'll talk after dinner. Meet me in my quarters at 8:30. All will be well." He dismissed her, still chuckling slightly. She walked up to lunch feeling slightly reassured but secure in the fact that her father was probably mad.