( July '93 )

Cassandra Rose Snape. If you heard the name, you would immediately think Severus Snape the cold-hearted man, stern face with no sense of love. Everybody was wrong about him. He had only loved three people in his entire life, Cassandra, Hayley Wood and Lily Evans.

Cassandra is a well-mannered twelve-year-old girl (almost thirteen). She hadn't gone to Hogwarts yet, due to her father not letting her. Last year he made an excuse of Dobby visiting, the year before that Severus made an excuse of the Philosopher's stone. This year was different; she was allowed to go to Hogwarts.

Cassandra has shoulder length jet-black hair. Her green eyes are so light, they could almost be considered blue. She's only five foot three, but she's feisty for a short girl. Cassandra has a short temper, much like her father, but she has her mother's heart of gold. Cassandra has no clue what her mother looks like.

Severus wants to protect Cassandra at all costs. That's why he's keeping so many secrets from Cassandra. Like who her twin is, who her real parents are. It's difficult to explain. Cassandra always believed that Severus was her father. Severus never meant to hurt Cassandra as he did in the future. Severus would've told Cassandra sooner, but things — unexpected things — happened.

Severus and Cassandra had a solid relationship. The two often agreed on one another's point of view, and they argued which Quidditch team was better — which was probably one of the only things they disagreed on. Severus always wanted Cassandra to go to Hogwarts, but he knew what kind of trouble she would be getting into. And who she would be naturally drawn to.

Cassandra and Luna Lovegood were best friends since they were four. The two girls met when Severus took Cassandra to the Lovegood's house so that they could babysit her. The two girls instantly connected and became friends. Luna was a bit odd, but Cassandra never minded. Cassandra always supported her friends no matter what.

Cassandra and Blaise Zabini were also best friends, but didn't become friends until they were six. Severus had business with Mrs. Zabini and he couldn't leave Cassandra all alone so he took her with him. The two kids had so much fun together that Severus decided to take Cassandra with him whenever he went over to Zabini Manor. Cassandra thought Blaise's last name was pronounced as Zucchini, despite many attempts to get Cassandra to get his name correctly she just couldn't say it. It became her nickname for him, and to this day it still is.

Blaise has a twin sister named Blair. She's really nice as well. Blair and Cassandra didn't get along for the first couple of months. But then, they became the best of friends. Blair, Blaise, and Cassandra called themselves 'The Golden Trio' but as of lately, they don't use it often. There's never a moment where any of them feel left out. They all know how to make each other feel included. It was an important thing in the trio's friendship. They all felt like they needed to have an equal opportunity to hang out with one another. There are sometimes where Blaise and Cassandra are hanging out more and there are times where Blair and Cassandra are hanging out more.  

Cassandra had met the Malfoys back in 1985 when Cassandra was only five years old. She didn't like Lucius nor Draco, but she took a liking to Narcissa. She had only seen them once since then, which was in 1991. To this day, Narcissa is still Cassandra's favorite Malfoy. Narcissa was kind, caring, and a great mother. Cassandra's always seen Narcissa as a mother and she wouldn't have it either way. Cassandra loved Narcissa dearly. She'll always love Narcissa to the end. 

Today, Albus Dumbledore was taking Cassandra to the Burrow. She was going to stay with the Weasleys until school started. The family had just gotten back from their trip to Egypt. She knew that she'd be staying at the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of days before the school year started. 

"Cassandra!" Severus called from the other side of Cassandra's bedroom door.

"Yes father?" Cassandra inquired, as she sets her potions book down.

"Albus is here to pick you up," Severus informed his daughter as he opens the door. Cassandra nods, picking up Fluffy her white cat. She picks up her trunk with her right hand, and puts her pale yellow duffle bag over her shoulder. Cassandra shoves Fluffy into the cat carrier.

Cassandra walks down the hallway, Severus close behind her. She opens the front door, letting Albus Dumbledore step inside. His kind eyes eyed Cassandra up and down. His long white beard was tied up, and he wore his signature sky blue robes.

"Good morning Cassandra," Albus greeted the short girl compared to his height.

"Good morning Albus," Cassandra smiled back. Albus held out his arm for Cassandra to take. Cassandra takes his arm before feeling the familiar sense of apparating. The two stood outside the Burrow. Cassandra looked up at the tall home, feeling like she had seen it before. Woods surrounded it, and it is a quite beautiful sight to take in.

The two walked up to the front door of the house and Albus knocked twice. A short and plump woman opened up the door, a smile etched on her face. She had the kindest eyes, and red hair.

"Good morning Molly. I don't mean to intrude. I'm just dropping Cassandra off," Albus explained. Molly's eyes looked behind Albus and at the shy girl.

"You're not intruding. Please come in," Molly reassured. Albus and Cassandra step inside the house after Molly. "I'm Molly, it's a pleasure to meet you Cassandra."

"I know who you are. Mr. Weasley talks about you all the time. And your children. It's a pleasure to meet you," Cassandra explained with a kind smile. 

Arthur walked into the room, kissing his wife on the cheek.

"I thought I heard my name. Hello Cassandra, it's nice to see you again," Arthur said smiling at Cassandra. Arthur sometimes came over to Cassandra's mother's house, and dropped off supplies for the new school year. He would stay at the house for a couple hours, playing wizarding chess with Cassandra.

"It's nice to see you again too. Where would I be staying?" Cassandra inquired.

"You'll be staying with Ginny. Ginny dear, come here please!" Molly yelled up to her only daughter. A girl a year younger than Cassandra walked down the stairs. She has fiery red hair and green eyes.

"Yes mum?" Ginny asked, not noticing the Headmaster and girl in the room.

"Please show Cassandra to your room she'll be staying with you," Molly gestured to Cassandra. Ginny's eyes go wide at the sight of her.

"Mum this is the girl?" Ginny whispered, thinking that Cassandra couldn't hear her.

"Yes darling, now show her to your room," Molly answered.

"Oh right my room. Follow me," Ginny chuckled. Ginny walks up the stairs to her room, Cassandra close behind. The two girls enter Ginny's room. The walls are painted a light shade of pink. A bed is up against the wall near the window. On the floor is endless piles of clothes, and hidden in the clothes is an air mattress on the floor.

"Sorry it's a bit messy," Ginny sheepishly said, looking down at the floor.

"It's okay. My room's a mess too," Cassandra grinned, setting her trunk down on the floor.

"I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley," Ginny sticks out her hand for Cassandra to shake.

"I'm Cassandra, Cassandra Rose," Cassandra takes Ginny's hand and shakes it.

"There's a reason why we call our house the Burrow. It's because there's so much love and warmth in the house, plus there's loads of people that live here, so we have to burrow together," Ginny explained, sitting down on her bed. Ginny pats a spot on the bed for Cassandra to sit.

"How many people live here?" Cassandra inquired as she sits down on Ginny's bed.

"Well, nine people used to live here. Now it's just six. I'm the only girl. I have six brothers," Ginny answered as she fiddles with her hands.

"Nine people used to live here? That's crazy. I'm the only child, so you're lucky to have siblings. Tell me about them," Cassandra looks down at her lap.

"Oh I'm sorry. Bill's the oldest, he's a curse breaker. He's eleven years older than me, which would make him ten years older than you," Ginny explained.

"A curse breaker?" Cassandra's eyes flicker back up to Ginny's face.

"I don't think Mum is a big fan of it though. Charlie's nine years older than me, and eight years older than you. He's in Romania studying dragons. At first mum didn't approve, but she gave in once she saw how much Charlie likes it."

"Working with dragons sounds cool, yet dangerous," Cassandra grinned.

"Charlie loves it. Percy's Head Boy, he's been bragging about it since forever. He's five years older than you and six years older than me. He barely talks to us anymore. He locks himself in his room and doesn't come down. It reminds me when he and Penelope Clearwater started dating."

"That's not nice at all. You're his family and family comes first," Cassandra said.

"Well, family doesn't come first to Percy. Then there's Fred and George. Identical twins, they're going into their fifth year. The two are huge pranksters, they prank Ron here at home a lot. They're two years older than you and three years older than me," Ginny said, "then there's Ron. He's in your year. He's best friends with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. I'm a year younger than you guys, so I'm in my second year."

"Its nice to see so many siblings together. I've always wanted to live in a house filled with those closest to me. I've never really had anyone but Luna, Blair and Blaise," Cassandra fiddled with her hands, a nervous habit.

"Luna Lovegood and Blaise and Blair Zabini?" 

"Yes. I've been friends with Luna since we were four. I've been friends with Blaise since we were six, then I met his twin."

"That's nice, I wish I had friendships that long. If I had to choose which sibling would be my best friend it would be Ron. Although sometimes we don't get along I still would choose him," Ginny said with a slight laugh.

"Ron sounds cool, possibly nice," Cassandra shrugs. "and he seems like a good brother."

"Trust me he's not cool, but he is a good brother," said Ginny, laughing slightly, "could you tell me a bit about yourself?"

"Well, I'm twelve almost thirteen. An only child who wished she had siblings. My mom passed away when I was young, like very young," Cassandra told Ginny, "my dad's always working and is never home, he teaches at a magic school. I used to live in a neighborhood until I was six years old, then I moved near the Lovegood's house."

"Are you very close with Luna?"

"Yeah," Cassandra replied. "what house is she in? Or does she go to a different school?"

"She goes to Hogwarts. She's a Ravenclaw," Ginny answered.

"That's amazing. I could totally see her as a Ravenclaw," Cassandra smiled.

"She's super smart."

~~

Ginny and Cassandra had chatted for hours. They talked about school, siblings (well Ginny's siblings), and boys. It was quite a nice conversation. Just a couple of seconds ago, Mrs. Weasley had called the, downstairs for dinner. Now Cassandra would be meeting the rest of the Weasley family. Ginny and Cassandra walked down the stairs together.

At the table was nine placemats, most likely when everyone still lived at home. Cassandra sat down next to Ginny, watching as Mrs. Weasley placed the food down on the table. Cassandra heard footsteps from the direction of the stairs, guessing that it's the rest of the Weasley family.

In saunters two identical twins, with flaming red hair and red freckles on their face. Their brown eyes looked Cassandra up and down. The twins sat down across from Ginny and Cassandra. Cassandra felt her cheeks heat up at the attention from the twins. 

Another set of footsteps is heard in the direction of the stairs. In walks a boy with messy red hair, and icy blue eyes. He doesn't have as much freckles as the twins. He sat next to his brothers. Mrs. Weasley sets down the last plate of food in front of Cassandra, before sitting down next to her. Mr. Weasley sits at the head of the table — which Cassandra is assuming he does every night — and he claps his hands together.

"Boys I'd like you to meet Cassandra Rose," Mr. Weasley gestured to Cassandra.

She felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. 

"Nice to meet you, I'm Fred and this is George," The twin on the left introduces himself and his brother.

"Nice to meet you too," said Cassandra, smiling kindly. 

"I'm Ron, the better brother," the boy next to George pipes up, "it's a pleasure to meet you. Dad's been talking about you nonstop. He tells me you're pretty good at wizard's chess, I bet I'm better. How about a game after dinner?" 

"Somebody's a bit cocky, but yes I'll be there."

"Good, I'll take you up to my room since you don't know where it is," Ron said before engulfing himself in a conversation with his father.

"It's nice to see you getting along with Ron," said Ginny, nudging Cassandra, "even if I don't get along with him that well, myself.

"And why's that?"

"He gets mad at me for the simple things. I think it's mainly because I have a crush on his best friend."

"Well maybe because you fancy his best friend, then Ron's afraid to loose either of you. Imagine if the two of you broke up, Ron would have to choose sides. I personally wouldn't want to be caught up in that mess, so just imagine if that happened to you."

"That makes sense. Now I get it. But what if it was a mutual breakup and nobody got hurt?" Ginny inquired.

"Then it might be a bit easier on Ron. But it's not guaranteed that it would be a mutual breakup and nobody got hurt."

"Why are you eating the salad without the chicken?" Fred asked leaning forward so that his face is near Cassandra's salad.

"Because I'm a vegetarian which means that I don't eat meat," Cassandra answered.

"I've never met a vegetarian before. How's it like?"

"It's painful when people annoy you about it."

Fred places a hand over his chest, looking taken aback.

"By the way, I'm hurt. As a matter of fact, I'm not annoying," Fred, grumbled. George looks amused at his brother.

"Yeah sure you're not annoying mate," George chuckles softly.

"I am not annoying! Ginny am I annoying?" Fred asks his little sister, in hopes of her defending him.

"Yes, you are," Ginny answers with a proud smile on her face. Everyone has finished dinner by now, and Mrs. Weasley is just getting started on putting the dishes away. Mr. Weasley, Ginny, Fred, George and Ron had left the room leaving Mrs. Weasley and Cassandra in the kitchen.

"Mrs. Weasley could I help you?" asked Cassandra.

Mrs. Weasley looks at her with a kind smile.

"Of course dear. Sometimes I need all the help that I can get," Molly said with a smile on her face. 

Cassandra brings over all of the dishes to the sink. 

"Are you going to use magic on the dishes?" asked Cassandra.

"No, not with these ones. They're a bit old so I want to keep them in the best condition," Molly replied, "thank you so much for your help dear."

"It's the least I could do since I'm staying until school. I'm sorry for staying so long. Dad just doesn't have time to take me for the summer I've only been with him a week so that Albus could pick me up, and my mom's passed away." 

Cassandra looks at Molly with teary eyes. Mrs. Weasley shuts off the water, and Cassandra's confused as to why she turned the water off. Mrs. Weasley gave Cassandra a hug.

"I'm sorry for your tough life at home, Cassandra. Arthur has told me plenty. I heard that the only people you get to see is Albus, Minerva, Arthur, Pomona, Fillius, and Severus," said Molly. "you don't even get to see Rolanda! And there's no siblings in the house. Your mother passed away, so you don't have anybody to confide in."

"How did you know all that?"

"Albus," Molly said looking slightly ashamed.

"There's no need to be ashamed. You probably just wanted to know more about me. I'm pretty famous."

After dinner, Cassandra walked up the stairs with Ron. As they entered, Cassandra's sight was filled with Chudley Cannon posters.

"I'm guessing that your favorite Quidditch team is the Chudley Cannons. Am I right?" Cassandra asked, "either that or this wasn't your room originally."

"Yes they are. I've fancied them ever since I could remember," Ron answered.

"That's amazing. I've fancied them since I was about five."

"Five? That's a long time. Aren't you thirteen now?"

"No, not yet. I'm turning thirteen on July thirty-first."

"My birthday's on March first."

"Could you tell me about Hermione Granger?" Cassandra asked. "Ginny told me a bit about her. I guess I just want to know more about her. She seems like a good person."

"She's one of the brightest witches of her age. She has bushy brown hair, but it's starting to get more curly than bushy. She's beautiful. I think the two of you would get along well. She really fancies studying. Harry and I don't like studying as much as her. Harry gets by just fine on his exams even if he doesn't study. As for me, I need that study time. We always ask Hermione to do our homework for us or if we could copy off of her work. Most of the time she tells us to do our own homework," Ron said with a slight laugh.

"Doing your own homework is important Ron. It helps you review things and helps you study for tests."

"Gosh you sound just like Hermione," said Ron throwing his arms up in defeat. Cassandra chuckled a bit before sitting down on the bed next to Ron. Ron got out the chessboard and set it up. He took white and Cassandra took red. White always goes first, so Ron made his move. "How long have you known you were a witch?"

"I think I always knew deep down but at first I didn't believe it," said Cassandra, "I think I finally started believing around the age of six."

"Are you half-blood or pure?" Ron asked taking his turn. 

"Half. I think my mom was muggleborn. And my dad's half-blood."

"What houses?" Ron asked before taking his turn. 

Cassandra took her turn afterwards before speaking.

"Dad was in Slytherin, but he's not the usual stereotypical Slytherin. He's really nice. Mom was in Hufflepuff, I believe. I didn't know much about my mom seeing as she passed away when I was one and a half."

"Rose is your last name? Right?" Ron asked. He took his turn afterwards.

"No, my last name is one my dad doesn't want people to know. Rose is my middle name. It hurts when my dad doesn't want anyone to know who I am or that he has a daughter," Cassandra said, "he thinks people will see him as soft."

"Oh, I'm sorry. May I be an exception to that rule?" Ron questioned.

"Fine. But you can't tell anyone," Cassandra said and Ron nodded. By now we've forgotten all about playing Wizard's chess. "My full name is Cassandra Rose Snape."

"Snape? As in the potions master at Hogwarts, and you're the girl-who-lived?" Ron asked.

"Yeah. From the way it sounds, you hate my father."

"I don't hate him per say. But I strongly dislike him," Ron replied.

"Dad seems to have that effect on people. He's just never really felt love. His mother hated him and his father was barely around. Then he said he had me, and he finally felt that love for me that his parents didn't give him. Well, he said that he loved my mom since they were young, but it wasn't the same."

"Well with you putting it that way, I kind of feel bad for the guy," Ron said. 

Cassandra chuckled before getting up.

"The Sorting Hat has only made seven mistakes, and one of those was putting Severus Snape in Slytherin."

"Wow," Ron whispered, "it's quite interesting how the Sorting Hat works."