"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." –J.K. Rowling

***

            "Well, boys, it's official," Sirius says. "Cassie is coming here, and she will be mine."

            James takes the copy of the Daily Prophet from Sirius and reads the article. "Blimey, he's right. She'll be here tomorrow to be Sorted."

            "I wonder what house she'll be in," Peter inquires.

            "She was on trial for murder," Remus points out. "I think we know where she's headed."

            Sirius shakes his head. "In yesterday's article, it said that Cassie kept claiming it was self-defense."

            "And you believe her?"

            "She's sixteen, Remus. Our age! Could you see anyone in this castle murder someone on purpose?"

            Remus raises his eyebrows and looks down the length of the Slytherin table. "Perhaps, all of them?"

            James sighs. "Slytherins aren't all bad. They may be jerks, but I'd bet only a select few would actually murder someone because they wanted to."

            "Did she use magic to kill the man?" Peter asks. "Or was it a Muggle way?"

            Sirius recalls what he read yesterday. "She stupefied him, and I think it said he flew into the wall and was knocked into a coma. He died shortly after."

            James furrows his eyebrows. "Then even if she wasn't using self-defense, it was only a stupefying spell; she clearly wasn't intent on killing the man."

            Before anyone can reply, Professor McGonagall approaches the Gryffindor table. Everyone looks up at her.

            "Students, I trust you've heard about Hogwarts taking in Cassie Sanger. As Gryffindors, I want you to act like it and show her kindness."

            "But she's a killer!" someone yells.

            "And I certainly don't want anyone harassing her for her mistakes," McGonagall snaps. "If I hear any of you are giving her trouble, you will answer to me."

            As she walks away, Sirius mutters, "Don't worry, Minerva, I'll be nothing but kind to her."

            James winks at him.

***

            All eyes are on Cassie as she enters the Great Hall. She hates it. All she's doing is getting Sorted. Who cares? Maybe the people she'll be roomed with might be nervous, but she's not going to hurt them because that's not who she is. That's not what she's about, even if her parents are.

            Sitting on a stool clearly meant for people four years younger than her, Cassie waits as the Sorting Hat is placed on her head. She hears its voice in her ear.

            "Hmm, you parents are in Azkaban? But you're really not Slytherin material...definitely not Hufflepuff...Ravenclaw? I see potential. But I know where your priorities lie. GRYFFINDOR!"

            That was fast. One of the tables erupts in cheers, making Cassie jump slightly. The others clap politely, and Cassie heads towards the table decked out with kids in red and gold. She sits beside a red-haired girl who had beckoned her over.

            "I'm Lily Evans," she says.

            "Cassie Sanger."

            "Oh, we know," one of the boys sitting across from her says.

            Lily frowns slightly. "This is James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew." She whispers behind her hand, "They're annoying."

            "Annoyingly funny!" the one called Sirius says. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Cassie."

            "And you," she says smoothly.

            Remus speaks next. "Is Cassie short for Cassandra or Cassidy?"

            "Why do you ask? In case you need to be stern?" Cassie asks jokingly. The laughs she gets out of the others slightly surprises her.

            "I'm just curious," Remus says, unable to keep a grin off his face.

            "It's actually Cassie for Cassiopeia, which is—"

            "A constellation," Sirius says with awe in his voice.

            Cassie is taken back. "Yes."

            "Sirius is, too," Sirius explains. "Well, a star. Dog star."

            "So it's spelled S-I-R-I-U-S and not S-E-R-I-O-U-S. Got it. Cassiopeia is something about a vain queen in Greek mythology."

            Sirius leans towards her. "And do you live up to royal standards?"

            She leans towards him. "I like to think so." 

            Sirius smirks. She copies.

            We're going to get along.

            "Did you kill that guy?" a student asks abruptly, interrupting Lily mid-sentence.

            "No, but if you ask again I might just live up to the rumors."

            The student turns red and stutters an apology before turning back to his own friends and food.

            Everyone has at least a grin on their face when she turns back to her group. "What?"

            "Your wit is impeccable," Sirius compliments. "Give me lessons, I beg you."

            "I doubt you have money for that," Cassie says jokingly.

            "I wasn't planning on paying with gold," he responds with a wink.

            While Lily let's out a surprised exclamation of, "Sirius!", Cassie only smirks and says, "That might be worth considering."

            "Guys, you've known each other for fifteen minutes," Remus snaps. "Tone down the flirting."

            "Jealous?" Sirius mocks.

            "Not one bit."

            "It's alright, Remus," Cassie starts. "There's nothing to be jealous of about Sirius anyway."

            James, Peter, and Lily all make "ooh" sounds. Remus just smiles, ducking his head down to hide his chuckle.

            "We'll be great friends, Cas," Sirius says. "Can I call you Cas?"

            Cassie laughs as if there's a secret she hasn't revealed. "Sure. One s or two?"

            "One. That's how I roll. Well, Cas, my bedroom is the second one on the left if you ever get bored."

            "No, no, no," James interjects. "You're not allowed to fuck unless I'm out of the castle."

            "Don't worry, James," Cassie replies before Sirius can. "He won't be getting anything out of me."

            "Yet," Sirius adds. Cassie just shrugs. Sirius winks at her.

            "Maybe I should've stayed in Azkaban," she comments.

            "Where you couldn't have me?" Sirius questions. "Darling, you'd be better off in my custody than anyone else in this school."

            "And why's that?"

            "I'm the only one who isn't afraid of you."

            "Oh, I doubt that."

            "I'm not afraid of her," Lily says. "She's funny, kind, and definitely not dangerous."

            "I wouldn't go that far," Cassie says.

            "Don't worry, Lils," James says. "I'll protect you."

            "As if I need it." 

            Students start filing upstairs to their dormitories. Lily leads Cassie to their room, as they have an empty bed for her.

            "Will I be seeing you later?" Sirius asks before she goes upstairs.

            "No."

            Sirius expected that. "So be it."