"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." –Og Mandino

***

            The creaking of the prison cylinder is teeth-clenching. It's like nails on a chalkboard; it's like a banshee's shriek. And like most things, it's worse on the inside. Cassie tries to block out the noise as her cage ascends. She can't reach up to close her ears because of the spikes protruding inward, so she uses pure concentration.

            The stopping is worse than the rising because she hears the locks click and knows that there is absolutely no way out. Good thing she's not claustrophobic.

            The judge peers at her over pretentious spectacles. He shuffles through papers, hums an off-key tune, and takes his jolly old time, not even pausing to consider how uncomfortable his prisoner must be. That's the point, right? Make me uncomfortable? I bet having a dagger shoved up your ostentatious ass would be uncomfortable, too.

            The judge clears his throat for too long. "You are on trial for murder."

            "It was self-defense."

            "Silence!" Cassie doesn't know how many times she's told these people that it was an accident. Her lawyer bailed, everyone on the jury is an idiot who's never been threatened, and the judge has a grudge. Hah.

            "The murder of Mister Samuel Knightguard by a Miss Cassie Sanger is confirmed. Being that you are a minor, we are giving you a choice. Azkaban for life, or you can choose an alternate fate we have yet to decide." The judge shuffles, shuffles, shuffles, those annoying papers. "We believe in second chances in this court. We will let you know when we have reached a verdict. Until then, back to your cell."

            "Don't I get a say in this? A fight? At least one sentence?"

            The creaking stops halfway down; Cassie can just peek up and see the judge.

            "And what would you like to say?" Cassie frowns. "We have everything you've ever shouted on record. And besides, nothing you claim will matter. Your lawyer bailed on you, there are no witnesses; dear, I'd prepare for a lifetime of prison if I were you."

            The creaking is impossible to block out, even when it stops.

***

            "Why are all the criminals, the ones being locked up and out of my reach, attractive?" Sirius questions at breakfast. It's the beginning of the school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Daily Prophet has issued an article about Cassie Sanger's choice of fate.

            "Well, Padfoot, I'd suppose it's because they know that you'll find them pretty," James says. "They think, 'that Sirius Black is going to think this girl is pretty; we'd better lock her up for her own good.'"

            Sirius shakes his head. "It has to be."

            Remus rolls his eyes. "Just because you're overly picky about girls and all the ones you see going to prison are attractive doesn't mean they're doing it to spite you."

            Sirius purses his lips. "I dunno, Moony. I'm a spiteful person. People like spiting me."

            Remus sighs. Peter speaks up, "I wonder what her other choice is?"

            Sirius tears his eyes from Cassie's photo to read the article. "Cassie is said to choose between a life in Azkaban prison, or attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a boarding school in Scotland."

            Peter's eyes widen. "She might come here?"

            Sirius' eyes are filled with excitement. "She'd better!"

            "It would be so awesome if she did!" James exclaims. "You have to hook up with her."

            "We don't even know that she'll accept the offer!" Remus adds.

            "Moony, she has to choose between here and Azkaban. Where would you rather go?" Sirius demands.

            Remus glares at him. "Alright. They don't exactly seem like equal punishments."

            James considers this. "Yeah, how is coming here a punishment?"

            "It says here she's never been to a public school before. She's been homeschooled all her life until her parents went to Azkaban just recently." Sirius shrugs. "I guess they care about her education and making sure she reaches her full potential, which includes satisfying me." 

            Remus scoffs. "Women owe you nothing."

            Sirius continues, "It also says that she'll be watched closely; if someone even thinks she's threatening student or faculty, she'll be carted back to Azkaban. It must be a second chance kind of deal. But anyway, all I'm saying is that if she comes here, I don't care if she's sorted into Slytherin, I'm going after her."

            James high fives him. "That's my boy."