Random: I am so so sorry for not updating for so long. I know it's been a while. I've just been going through some personal problems and haven't felt up much to writing. I hope you forgive me. I'll to not to go so long without updating.

George sat with Fred and Jordan in the common room as they waited on Cassi.

"How long does it take that woman to get ready?" Fred asked.

George and Jordan both shrugged. A voice was then cleared to see that Cassi was standing behind the couch. George's eyes widened as his eyes raked over Cassi's form. She had on a sleeveless black dress that had lace for the collar and at the bottom of the dress. It stopped just above her knees, and over the dress she had a dark purple cardigan with the sleeves stopping at her elbows. On her feet were black Victorian style boots that went to her knees and laced up, and black tights were tucked into them.

"Are we going for what?" She asked. "It's probably the last Hogsmeade trip we can enjoy before Oliver books all the weekends for practice."

"Right you are, Miss Black." Fred said in a posh manner as he stood up. "Let us take our leave."

Cassi snorted at Fred's antics as Jordan laughed. The two of them then headed for the portrait exit. Cassi was about to follow, but she turned to see George was still just sitting.

"Georgie, you coming?" Cassi asked grinning at him.

George shook himself as he stood up off of the couch. Cassi held out her hand to him, and George grinned at her. He placed his hand in hers. She immediately tugged him along, so they could catch up with the other two. He chuckled at her eagerness, but he himself was rather excited. They could finally get to Zonkos to see what new products they might have.

"Oh, how have your candies been selling?" Cassi asked George.

"Rather good." George said smiling. "We gave Ron free samples to give his friends. They then came to us when they ran out. Word spread and more people came."

Cassi said that was very good. She was very proud of the boys. She was sure they would go far with their ideas.

"What does Mrs. Weasley think about all of it?" Cassi asked.

"Mum says we're just wasting our time." George said sighing. "That we need to worry more about getting O's on our OWLS. She even said something about giving up pranking to become prefects."

Cassi made a face at the thought of the boys being prefects. Their trio would be ruined.

"I love your mum, I do." Cassi said. "She's always been kind to me, but she needs to understand that you and Fred are not Bill, Charlie, or Percy. You're George and Fred. Fred and George. Gred and Forge. Some of the best pranksters Hogwarts has seen in years."

"Hey don't forget yourself." George said as he nudged Cassi. "Cassiopeia Black. Second generation Marauder. Living up to the legacy left behind by the first generation."

Cassi smiled with her cheeks warming a bit when George said that. Fred and George knew who the Marauders were since Cassi explained all about them after snatching the Marauders' Map out of Filch's office their first year. Cassi had deduced that if none of the Marauders had the map after graduating then it had to be in the castle, and if it was in the castle, it was most likely in Filch's office. They found it, took it, and put it to good use. Or bad use...depended on whether you were on the receiving end of one of their pranks or not.

"It's still hard to believe Professor Lupin was one of the Marauders." George said. "I mean...he seems too responsible."

"He is." Cassi said laughing. "Uncle Remus explained that it was my dad and Harry's dad that were the ring leaders. Remus was usually backseat to the mischief. He knew how to cause it when he wished...he just didn't do it often. Peter Pettigrew just sort of followed along with whatever my dad said."

"So only two out of the four Marauders were big on causing mischief." George summed up.

Cassi nodded her head as the two of them caught up to Fred and Jordan outside of the castle.

"Took you two long enough." Fred said. "What, stop for a snog?"

Cassi felt her cheeks heat up, but she rolled her eyes at Fred's comment. George glared at his brother as Fred grinning almost impishly. He knew all about George's crush on their best friend, and he enjoyed teasing him about it.

"Now, now, Fredrick, jealousy is not an attractive look." Cassi said. "Don't act out just because you haven't had anyone to snog in a while."

Jordan and George both laughed as Fred pouted at Cassi who was grinning. Fred then shook himself since he wasn't about to be out done.

"So you admit to snogging?" He asked.

"I am neither saying we snogged or not." Cassi said then winked. "But if we did, I wouldn't tell. I don't kiss and tell. Who ever said I've never had my first kiss and many more?"

Cassi then walked away as the boys watched after her with wide eyes. Was she implying...?

"Oi, Cassi, who have you kissed?!" George and Fred called out in unison. "Oi!"

Cassi just threw back her head laughing as she continued walking off. The boys exchanged a glance then rushed off after their friends.

"Hey, woman, answer the question." George said.

Cassi just continued grinning while ignoring the boys as they badgered her for information.

Cassi walked out of Honeydukes with a bag in hand. She got Remus a bunch of chocolate that she planned to give him tomorrow. She knew what tonight was...the full moon. She wished she could help him, but she knew Remus wouldn't accept her help. Besides, she wasn't sure what she could do. She knew what her dad and their friends used to do for Remus, but she's just one person. She didn't know if she could do the work of three.

"Your sweet tooth acting up again?" Fred asked eyeing her candy filled bag.

"They're not for me." Cassi said. "Well...not all of them. Most of them are for Uncle Remus. He loves chocolate."

"Why don't you ever get us anything?" George asked pouting teasingly.

Cassi rolled her eyes then pulled out three licorice wands out of the bag. She tossed them to the boys who caught them with ease.

"Where do you want to go next?" Cassi asked. "Zonkos now? Or do you want to go two the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer?"

"Zonkos." The boys said in unison.

Cassi chuckled wondering why she even asked. The four of them went over to Zonks, and when they entered, Cassi was a bit surprised to see Ron and Hermione. Ron not so much, but straight-laced Hermione was a bit of a surprise.

"Hello, you two." Cassi said. "Is Harry not with you?"

"No...his uncle and aunt didn't sign the permission slip to let him come." Ron said frowning.

Cassi nodded her head while knowing it must be hard for Harry to be left alone in castle today. Sure some students didn't come, and second and first years can't come anyway.

"Well, maybe you should get something to take back to him." Cassi suggested. "To cheer him up."

"That's a great idea." Hermione said smiling. "But...what should we get?"

"Honeydukes has all sorts of sweets to cheer up any witch or wizard from the foulest of moods." Fred declared.

"Zonkos is best if you want to get something to make someone laugh." George added. "Not to mention Zonkos has a lot of fairly priced merchandise."

Cassi looked at George with a quirked brow to see he already had an armful of things bundled up in his arms. He doesn't waste any time, does he?

"Either place is great." Cassi said. "Maybe you could get him two little things from each store."

"Yeah." Ron said nodding. "Thanks."

Cassi nodded her head then told George to put some of that stuff back since most of it was useless for the extravagant pranks they do. Besides, why buy merchandise that any of them could whip up on their own. George pouted though did exactly as he was told. Cassi helped Hermione and Ron try to pick something out for Harry as the twins and Jordan kept looking at the new merchandise.

"Cassi...how are you?" Hermione asked as they were still searching. "I mean, um..."

Cassi stopped the younger witch's stuttering by placing her hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"About my father and people being gits about it?" Cassi guessed.

Hermione nodded her head as she bit her lip. Ron, who was turned away from them, turned his head a bit to look at Cassi.

"Thank-you for being so kind, Hermione." Cassi said sincerely. "But I'm fine. People have been gits to me before, and a quick hex here and there ends that problem quick...even if only temporarily. I went through this kind of stuff in my first two years. I can handle it again."

Hermione nodded her head though she still had a bit of concern in her eyes. The girls and Ron continued looking for something for Harry until they found something they thought he might like. After saying goodbye to the younger Gryffindors, Cassi went with the twins and Jordan to the Three Broomsticks.

"I'll get the Butter Beer." Jordan volunteered. "Usual corner?"

"Of course, Mate." Fred said.

"It's our spot after all." George added.

Jordan nodded then went to go get four Butter Beers. Cassi led the way over to their corner table in the southwest corner of the room. Their table comfortably fit four people, and it was nice and secluded from everyone else. Many prank strategies were discussed at this table. Cassi sat in the chair that was literally pressed against the corner with the twins sitting on either side of her. Jordan returned with a skip practically in his step.

"Guys, Angelina is here." Jordan said grinning.

The three Quidditch players looked around Jordan to see that their teammate really was here. She was sitting at a table with Katie Bell chatting.

"I'm going to make a move." Jordan said.

He took a large gulp of his Butter Beer, and when he set it down, he had a large foam mustache on his face.

"Uh, Jordan," Cassi began, but it was too late...Jordan was already making his way over towards Angelina and Katie.

"Should we try to stop him?" Cassi asked.

"Nah." Fred and George said in unison.

Cassi chuckled then took a sip of Butter Beer while careful not to get it on her face as Jordan had done. When they heard Angelina and Katie laughing, they felt a bit bad for their mate.

"I'll go save him." Fred said then smirked at his two friends. "Try to behave, yeah? Keep those hands to yourself. If you can't...by all means have some fun."

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at the pair. Cassi rolled her eyes as George frowned at Fred. Fred chuckled as he went to go help out Jordan.

"Well, today has been a good day." Cassi said.

George hummed in agreement as he casually put his arm around the back of her chair as he leaned back in his seat. He stiffened for a moment when Cassi leaned into him with her head going to rest on his shoulder. He mentally hit himself for stiffening. She's done this plenty of times before, but...he hadn't had a crush on her then.

"I'm actually feeling a bit tired." Cassi admitted as she closed her eyes. "I could probably fall asleep right now...if I actually trusted you and Fred not to do something."

George chuckled as he rested his head against hers. The friends didn't have a rule that said they couldn't prank each other. In fact, whenever it's a slow week at school they'll play a game they call Prank Wars. They try as hard as they can to prank the other, and Jordan is the unbiased judge. He decides who gets points and how many points based on how good the prank was. At the end of the week, the points are tallied. Whoever wins receives the title of Prank King or Prank Queen in Cassi's case. They keep the title until the next Prank War is started.

"I give you my word, Cas, I will not do anything to you or let anything happen to you." George said sincerely.

Cassi opened her eyes to smile up at him, and he returned her smile with his own. Cassi nestled back into the crook of his neck with her eyes fluttering shut again. George enjoyed the surprisingly calm atmosphere between them along with the warmth her body brought as she was pressed against his side. As Cassi dozed a bit, George watched Fred and Jordan flirt with Angelina and Katie. He chuckled while thinking today had been a wonderful day indeed.

Cassi laughed with Fred and George as they walked up the stairs towards the Fat Lady portrait. Jordan had ditched them to flirt with Angelina who was ignoring him. Not that he seemed to notice. As they almost reached the steps, they saw everyone was frozen before the painting.

"What's going on?" Fred asked.

Cassi just frowned curiously as she pushed her way to the front of the crowd. She gasped in surprise when seeing someone had cut large gashes into the painting. The Fat Lady was nowhere to be seen.

"Who could have done this?" George asked as the twos stood behind Cassi.

She shook her head as she reached forwad to touch the painting. She had a feeling on the who, but she was afraid if she said it out loud, it'd make her assumption true. Percy then appeared coming down one set of stairs to get to the painting.

"Excuse me." He said. "Let me through. I'm Head Boy."

If it was any other situation, the twins and Cassi both would have started teasing Percy. He was way too proud of a title that most people didn't care about. He made it to the bottom to stand beside Cassi, and his eyes widened at the damage.

"Get back all of you." Percy ordered. "No one is to enter this dormitory until it has been full searched."

Everyone whispered together as they wondered where the Fat Lady had gone. Percy tried to order anyone from any other house to return to their common room, but no one paid him any attention. Even the paintings on the walls were in a tizzy as everyone tried to understand what was happening.

"Make way. Make way." Filch ordered as he led Dumbledore upstairs.

"The Headmasters here." Percy stated the obvious as Filch continued to tell people to get out of the way. "You heard him! Make way!"

Cassi was close to telling Percy to sod off, but instead she backed out of the way to let Dumbledore and Filch through. Dumbledore ran his hand over the painting with a frown on his face.

"Mr. Filch, round up the ghosts." Dumbledore ordered. "Tell them to search every painting in the castle to find the Fat Lady."

"There's no need for ghosts, Professor." Filch said. "The Fat Lady is there."

He pointed a crooked finger at the painting of Africa, which was a few stair cases up, and almost everyone started heading that way. Cassi was amongst them, and like everyone else, she ignored Percy when he told everyone to stop shoving. George and Fred followed after Cassi though ended up behind her a ways after being pushed by some other students. Cassi made it to the top while standing near Dumbledore. She looked up at the painting to see the Fat Lady cowering behind a hippo.

"My dear lady, who did this to you?" Dumbledore asked.

The Fat Lady whimpered and trembled as she peeked over the hippo at Dumbledore. However, she then screeched in fright as she leaned away.

"Those eyes!" She screeched pointing straight at Cassi. "She shares eyes with the devil! Those terrible eyes!"

Cassi leaned away in shock as everyone looked at her. They all started whispering and pointing at her as Dumbledore looked at Cassi.

"Sir, I didn't do this." Cassi said. "I've been in Hogsmeade all day. I only got back a few moments ago."

Dumbledore placed a hand on Cassi's shoulder as he nodded to let her know that he believed her.

"No, you did not, but you share eyes with that man! That devil of a man!" The Fat Lady cried. "That man who has a soul as dark as his name! I bet you have the same soul for you are a Black!"

Cassi flinched away again. She has never had anyone attack her so venomously about her family name in a long time.

"It's him, Headmaster!" The Fat Lady said. "The one they all talk about. He's here! Somewhere in the castle. Sirius Black! He must have come for the girl!"

The whispering got even louder as Cassi trembled under Dumbledore's hand. Cassi could hear people murmuring in agreement with the Fat Lady. Some whispered it was all her fault that he was here. Some whispered she probably showed him a way into Hogwarts.

"Secure the castle, Mr. Filch." Dumbledore said. "The rest of you to the Great Hall."

Students started heading that way, and one purposely bumped Cassi hard on the shoulder.

"He's here because of you." The girl, who bumped her, hissed. "This is your fault."

Cassi silently glared at the girl, and anyone else who made a similar comment while passing her. She sighed then was about to walk down to Fred and George, but Dumbledore caught her on the shoulder.

"Not you, Miss Black." Dumbledore said. "I would like to have a word with you in my office."

Cassi nodded her head then waved for Fred and George to go on. They both frowned not moving.

"Do not worry, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said. "Miss Black will join you soon enough."

They both nodded before reluctantly going with the rest of their classmates to the Great Hall. George cast one last glance over his shoulder at Cassi, and she grinned to reassure him that she would be alright. He finally went on though he wasn't happy about any of this.

Cassi sat in front of Dumbledore's desk as said wizard paced behind it. She knew Dumbledore paced a lot by watching his footsteps on the Marauder's map. Watching him do it in person...was a bit unsettling. It made her nervous.

"Miss Black." He said finally as he stopped pacing to face her fully. "I need you to be completely honest with me. Have you received any word from your father? Has he tried to make contact?"

Cassi looked at Dumbledore in disbelief. Did he really not trust her? She then sighed.

"No, Professor." I said. "I haven't received anything from my father. Nor have I seen him in over twelve years."

If it wasn't for pictures, Cassi wouldn't even fully remember how he looked. Dumbledore stared at Cassi for a long moment before he slowly nodded his head.

"Do you have any clue on how he could get into the castle?" Dumbledore asked.

Cassi frowned as she thought about the several secret passageways. She knew that if Sirius remembered any of those passageways that he could easily slip in and out of the castle. However, she didn't feel it was right to tell Dumbledore this. He probably knows about all the secret passageways. He knows this castle like the back of his hand, and he always seems to know what's going on. It wouldn't surprise her if Dumbledore knew about all the times Cassi and the twins went running around the passageways.

"No, sir." Cassi replied. "I cannot think of any way he could have entered the castle."

As Dumbledore looked at her, she was certain that he saw through her lie. He didn't call her out on it. He merely nodded his head once more.

"Sir...do you really think my father is here for me?" Cassi asked. "Or another reason?"

Dumbledore sighed as he sat down in his chair looking rather tired. Not that Cassi could blame him.

"Honestly, Miss Black, I think Sirius Black is here for only one reason." Dumbledore. "And that is to finish unfinished business."

Cassi frowned not understanding what he was saying. What kind of unfinished business did Dumbledore think Sirius had?

"My dear, how much do you know about the night that your father died?" Dumbledore asked.

"I know people believe that my father betrayed James and Lily Potter to Voldemort." Cassi said saying the dark wizard's name without pause. "After doing so, he apparently killed Peter Pettigrew, who was supposedly going to warn the Potters, and twelve muggles got caught up in the explosion. My father was in apprehended by aurors, and sentenced to life in prison at Azkaban."

Dumbledore never realized just how much informed Cassi was until now. However, he realized that Cassi would say 'supposedly' or 'apparently' or 'people believe' as if she didn't agree with what had been said about that night.

"And on that night Lord Voldemort met his end because of Harry." Dumbledore said. "Harry survived the attack...Lord Voldemort did not."

Cassi sat there for a moment before her eyes widened when she realized what Dumbledore was saying.

"You think my father is here to kill Harry Potter." Cassi stated. "With all due respect, Professor, but are you daft?"

Dumbledore's brow just quirked curiously as Cassi stood up to start her own pacing.

"So, what you're saying is that my father doesn't care that his own daughter is here." Cassi said. "His only interest is to kill Harry Potter? His godson? The son of his best mate?"

"Miss Black, I know this is hard, but Sirius was the Potters' secret keeper." Dumbledore said. "Only he could have known about their location, and only he could have given it up to Lord Voldemort. The Potters, Peter Pettigrew, and twelve muggles lost their lives because Sirius Black betrayed them."

Cassi shook her head as she tried her hardest not to snap at her headmaster.

"If you have nothing further to ask me, Professor, I would like to go try to get some rest with the rest of my classmates." Cassi said.

Dumbledore studied her silently for a moment then nodded his head in consent. Cassi dipped her head to him respectively then left Dumbledore's office. She knew the moment she went into the Great Hall she would be forced to face all the accusing glares and cruel words. However, she also knew that she couldn't avoid them forever, so might as well face them head on. She made it past the gargoyle, and paused a brief moment to take a deep breath. She held her head high as she walked towards the Great Hall. Time to face the music.

"This is complete bullocks!" Cassi complained as she sat in Remus's office as said man was out considering it was the night of a full moon. "I was only defending myself."

Cassi, who had arrived to the Great Hall as everyone was laying down, had immediately been confronted by a group of Slytherins. They tried to shove her around, and they kept saying horrible things about Sirius and her and her family name. The third thing she wasn't that upset about...she doesn't like her family name either.

Well, one Slytherin had hit her pretty hard after she badmouthed him, and that started a fist fight. One between Cassi and five Slytherins until George and Fred hurried to help. After Snape and McGonagall broke up the fight, McGonagall removed Cassi from the Great Hall.

"If anyone should have been made it leave it should have been them." Cassi said.

"Miss Black, this isn't punishment." McGonagall assured her. "This is for your own protection."

Cassi scoffed as she held her pillow close to her chest. Own protection her arse. No one here trusted her completely besides George, Fred, and Jordan. They were putting her here to keep an eye on her. She really hated this. McGonagall looked at the girl sympathetically, but before she could try to give some words of comfort, Cassi laid down with her back turned to McGonagall. The old professor sighed softly knowing this had to be hard on her.

"Someone will make rounds to check on you every so often." McGonagall said. "You will be safe here."

Cassi didn't reply as she pulled her cover farther up on her to over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, Miss Black." McGonagall said as she turned to leave.

"Night...Minnie." Cassi replied.

McGonagall paused at the door to look back at Cassi with a barely noticeable smile. She then left Cassi alone to her thoughts as she laid there. Cassi sighed staring at the wall in front of her. She really wished tonight wasn't a full moon. She wished Remus was here. He'd give her some comforting words to make her feel better, and stay with her until she fell asleep. But he's not here...and she was worried for him being out there all alone without anyone to help him. After just lying there a bit longer without feeling sleepy, Cassi sat up.

"I won't be getting any sleep tonight." She muttered.