It was a few weeks into the term when Cassiopeia had her epiphany.

She had spent countless days trying to spread herself out to not only do her homework, but also balance her friend groups. She was almost always around her fellow Slytherin's and had only been able to hang out with Ginny and Luna in the library when other Slytherin's were also there studying. They really take the rules seriously. Sometimes, Astoria and Lysandra accompanied her, much to her joy, and the girls had a blast gossiping and doing each other's hair. Cassiopeia saw Harry and the other Weasley's in passing, sometimes switching to eat dinner at the Gryffindor table much to many people's shock.

Fred and George had had a field day pranking students, even their own housemates, when someone said something derogatory towards her.

Cassiopeia was sick and tired of having to divide her time so much, she never truly enjoyed it when she was always on a tight schedule.

Which is what brought her to her current position. She was rocking on the balls of her feet, hands clasped in front of her, and a big, doe-eyed expression on her face as Adrian tried not to stare at her. No one can deny this face, Cassiopeia mentally smirked. The fifth year was squirming in his armchair, head tilted to the side with his Potion's book brought up to mid chest, as if to shield himself.

"Why won't you look at me," Cassiopeia's lower lip jutted out more pronounced, head tilted to the side. Adrian chanced a glance at her and groaned, tossing his head back against the plush, forest green chair.

Sweeping an arm across his eyes, the older boy huffed. "I know what you're doing Peia."

"I just have a question," the innocent tone was deceivingly good. Fuck Emelia for being right. Adrian refused to move from his position. Hearing shuffling, he knew Cassiopeia was moving closer to his seat. Mischievous little brat, he rolled his eyes fondly.

"You had a question for Marcus, too. And got him to help exclude you from flying lessons. You had a question for Gemma, and suddenly you have all of her old notes from first year," Adrian retorted amusedly. "I know you by now Peia, at least a little bit."

"Hey!" Marcus defended, head shooting up from the table he was doing his homework on.

Laughing, Zachariah Montogue nudged him, "he's not wrong you know."

"Let's see how you fare when Peia's staring at you like you killed Thumper!" Marcus scowled.

"Thumper?" the golden-haired boy asked. Marcus blushed, hiding his face in his book as he muttered a reply. "What did you say?"

"Peia has a picture book, I may have read it with her the other night."

Groaning, Marcus banged his head against the table, as laughter spread around him.

"You're one to laugh, Cassius," Adelaide smirked, batting his hand away as Cassius attempted to stop her, "I caught you reading Alice in Wonderland with her."

"Because you weren't reading Narnia," Delilah Shafiq teased, having caught the sixth year prefect reading with Cassiopeia in their dorm.

Terence laughed with the others as one by one, they each called the other out. Snorting, the King shook his head, softies, the bunch of them. He just hoped no one called him out for joining the book club and being convinced to read Babbity Rabbity. That was one embarrassment the King did not need.

"Adrrriiiiaaaaaaan," Cassiopeia drawed out his name, making the boy groan.

"Fine!" He threw his hands in the air, sitting upright defeatedly. "What do you need, Peia?"

"Is it against the rules to form a study group?"

Adrian blinked. No way it was this easy. There had to be a catch.

"We have multiple study groups, you know that." He raised an eyebrow.

Cassiopeia smiled sheepishly. "What about an intra-house study group?"

There it is. Adrian huffed amusedly. Never before had he met a Slytherin like Cassiopeia. Not only did she maintain friendships outside of the house, those friendships were with light witches, and Gryffindor's no less!

"It shouldn't be a problem," he hummed. "You'll need to get it approved, of course, by Professor Snape and Madam Pince. I assume the library will be your meeting spot," Getting a nod, he continued. "Draft an outline of the group and what you hope to achieve. I'll take you to Professor Snape's office during office hours tomorrow to get it approved."

Beaming, Cassiopeia quickly thanked him before shooting off to her dorm. No doubt to tell the other firsties of her news.

"We're so doomed," Jasper groaned, head thrown back as they heard excited cheers echoing down the stairs.

The other Slytherin's in the room nodded in agreement.

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Forming the study group was a little more complex than Cassiopeia had anticipated. She got the majority of her form complete: she had her meeting place, a time, and her goals. She figured with the bunch of them, there had to be classes in which someone was more inclined to perform better than the others. This way, everyone would be able to teach the other's and help with any difficulty they were struggling with. Between them all, she's sure they'd be able to cover all of their courses. The problem was, who else did she want to invite to join the group?

On her list were the rest of the Slytherin first years as well as Ginny and Luna. She'd also added Colin Creevy, having gotten to know the hyperactive blonde when she hung out with Ginny. Lacy Adams and Connor Diggory from Hufflepuff were written on a separate sheet to be asked of their interest in joining.

Cassiopeia had been paired with the two on multiple occasions in Herbology and Connor was her Potion's partner due to the uneven size of the Slytherin firsties. They all got along well, and Connor was brilliant at Potions. She hoped they'd want to join.

Sighing, Cassiopeia thumped her head against her desk.

"Why don't you just ask all of the firsties?" Astoria offered, looking up from her magazine. She was lounging on her bed, Lysandra opposite of her reading through her DADA text. "That way you include everyone, and whoever is interested can join."

"You're brilliant!" Cassiopeia cheered, ignoring the smug look Astoria sported, sticking her tongue out at the girl. Quickly, she drafted the letters to be sent, hoping to get replies by morning or in class before the meeting with Professor Snape. "Do you want to come with me to the Owlry?"

Both girls passed, and Cassiopeia went down to the Common Room in search of the boys. Like she expected, they were near the fireplace, invested in what looked to be a serious game of exploding snap. Waving, Cassiopeia ambled over to Theo who greeted her warmly.

He was nursing a hot chocolate, watching the chess match between Blaise and Draco.

"Hi!" Cassiopeia chirped, hugging the older blonde and waving at the chess players.

"How goes the study group planning?" Of course, everyone already knows. Cassiopeia had learned how quickly word went around after breakfast her first day. If there was one thing Hogwarts students were good at, it was spreading information and gossip.

"Good!" Cassiopeia lifted her hand clutching the letters. "I just have to send these to the other firsties."

"Ah, can I accompany you?" Theo placed his mug down, it vanished a minute later.

"Please," Cassiopeia nodded. "Lys and Tori don't want to go, so I thought I'd ask one of the boys."

"It is getting rather close to curfew," Theo noted the time on his watch. "We'd better hurry. It'd be better that an older student go with you anyway."

Agreeing, the two left, having told Rowlyn Mulciber, Alexander's second, where they were going.

They set out at a moderate pace, taking extra care to use the floors most people didn't usually take. "There's no need to be more of a target," Theo had explained. Cassiopeia nodded in agreement, taking note of the route they were using. She, as well as her friends, had been the subject of one too many slurs and insults in the hallways.

"How are your classes so far?" Theo asked, hands in his pants pockets.

"They're amazing!" Cassiopeia began to gush. "I think I'm pretty decent at Potions, but Charms is fantastic. I can't wait to learn how to make my own!"

Theo chuckled, reaching one hand to ruffle her hair. The slight flinch Cassiopeia made had Theo narrowing his eyes, filing the information away for later. He had kept an eye on the petite girl for no other reason than that he had grown to care for the ravenette that had bumped into him on the train.

He was slowly piecing together a picture that made him somewhat understand why his father had become a Death Eater in the first place. Somewhat.

Cassiopeia hardly ate. At all. Each meal, she carefully selected a small portion of the least oiliest or fattiest items despite the longing in her eyes to try something else. The portion size was never a full amount, perhaps a quarter of what Theo thought to be healthy. He knew something was wrong. That, alongside Cassiopeia's small stature, and her behavior to unexpected touches painted a grim picture in his mind.

Theo had brought his concerns up to Alexander, who had told him to keep an eye out for more worrisome behavior. He knew Alex had told Terence of his suspicions because the seventh year had moved to sit closer near the first years at meal times.

One day, one day soon, Theo would hopefully be able to talk to Cassiopeia about the orphanage she lived at. He was quite sure that the place was responsible for Cassiopeia's behavior and reactions. He just needed to be patient. Then the bloody muggles can burn.

"You won't learn spell creation here, Peia" Theo laughed at the put out expression adorning her face. "The closest you'll get to understanding that would be taking arithmancy and ancient runes in your third year and then passing those NEWTS as well as charms."

"What?! Why can't I learn spell creation?" Cassiopeia cried out, pouting. "It's on the course list, I read about it."

"You probably have an outdated version," Theo snarked lowly, a hint of bitterness to his tone. "Or you managed to get a copy of Hogwarts: A History before the rehaul. There's lots of classes not offered anymore, spell creation being one of them."

"Why aren't they offered? Surely, the castle has enough room to supply the space and there has to be students interested in learning how to create their own wards, charms, and hexes. What?! I'm just being honest," Cassiopeia defended at the look Theo shot her. Anyone would want to create their own hex!

"When Dumbledore became Headmaster he did an overhaul on the classes. The ones he deemed too dangerous were struck from the curriculum." The roll of his eyes told Cassiopeia exactly what Theo thought of that decision.

"But isn't that why we come to Hogwarts? To learn? Isn't it better to learn about a potentially dangerous subject that will help us in our future careers in a controlled environment than studying independently and potentially harming ourselves or others?"

"Clearly, Dumbledore thought not." Theo smiled dryly.

Cassiopeia huffed. That's not fair. Why would those classes be removed? Muggleborns wouldn't even know they existed since they aren't mentioned in the current books if what Theo said is true. It's an unfair advantage.

"I'm telling Rian," she said matter of factly. Theo stared at her bemusedly.

"And what will Potter do?"

"Use his status as Wizarding Savior to bring classes back," Cassiopeia sniffed. "He has the title, he may as well use it."

Theo snorted, "because Potter is going to be willing to do that?" Yea, right. Undermine his precious headmaster?

Cassiopeia scowled, stomping to stand in front of the second year, hands on her hips. "You don't know Rian, so you can't judge him. He was just as interested in spell creation and warding as I was, if you must know."

Theo raised his hands defensively, "I apologize." Cassiopeia nodded and just like that, the tense atmosphere dissipated, allowing Theo to breath. Damn, she's powerful. The air around him had begun to feel heavy, he could feel the magic seeping around him, reacting to Cassiopeia's emotions. She doesn't even know the potential she has.

"Why do you call him Rian, anyways?" Theo had never heard the girl call Potter 'Harry'.

"Because he's mine," the answer was every ounce as possessive the girl could muster. Theo cracked a grin at that. Sighing, Cassiopeia swung her arms, looping one with Theo's, making him hunch down a bit. "His name is Hadrian, we found out after he did a school project. So I've called him Rian ever since."

There was so much Theo could dissect from the simple sentence. "What do you mean you found out Potter's full name after a school project?" Potter didn't know his own name?

"Just that," Cassiopeia shrugged. "The Dursley's never told him, so Rian found out when he went to school and the teacher took roll call."

Theo couldn't help the sinking feeling he began to feel. There's no way Potter's muggle relatives didn't tell him his own name. Every child grew up speaking his name. He'd have to keep a closer eye on the raven-haired boy, Theo resolved. Not that that was much of an issue nowadays. Potter came by often, speaking to Cassiopeia or gathering her to spend an afternoon out on the grounds. There's more to him, Theo knew that. He knew Potter was more than what was apparent, especially after witnessing the dressing down he gave Granger the first day of classes. Terence had also informed the Court that Potter had thanked him, as well as the others, for preparing to defend Cassiopeia that day. Yes, Potter was different. An enigma.

Theo liked puzzles and Harry, no, Hadrian Potter was turning out to be a fascinating one.

They were perhaps halfway up the tower when Theo noticed Cassiopeia lagging behind. Turning, he watched the pallor of the girl drop a shade and walked quickly to her side.

"Are you alright?" Idiot, obviously something's wrong, Theo shook his head.

"I didn't realize we'd be so high," Cassiopeia peered out nervously from the window surrounded by stone.

"Here," he held out a hand, interlacing his fingers with her smaller ones. "It's not that bad if we go together." Together, they took the next step up. "Are you going to use one of the school owls to send the letters?" Cassiopeia didn't own an owl as far as he knew.

"Nope!" Cassiopeia popped the 'p' and shook her head. "I'll just give them all to Hedwig, she'll deliver them to all the other first years."

Theo stumbled on the next step. "You're inviting all of the other first years?" His tone was incredulous.

Cassiopeia nodded, didn't I just say that?

"All of them? Lions, Ravens, and Badgers?"

Raising an eyebrow, Cassiopeia nodded again. "That's typically what "all of the other first years" mean, Theo."

Theo scowled at the sass. "I'm just concerned, Peia. Not everyone is going to be willing to befriend a snake."

"I know," Cassiopeia swung their interlocked hands. "But I don't want anyone to feel excluded. It's not a nice feeling."

Theo knew that. When three quarters of the school hates you for your magical core, the color of your tie, and who your parents are (all things out of his control), Theo knew that better than anyone. He also knew how lonely that exclusion could be.

He didn't question Cassiopeia again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gryffindor common room was filled with loud chatter and laughter. Burgundy walls were adorned with armor and gold accents.

Ginny was sitting at a table in the corner, attempting to do her homework with Colin and Justin. They had asked Demelza if she'd like to join them, but the other girl had decided to join Lavender and Parvati in their discussion of the current issue of Witch Weekly.

"Hey, there's Hedwig!" Ron shouted, pointing at the snowy owl who had glided into the room through an open window. Harry stood from the couch, only to roll his eyes as Hedwig bypassed him and landed near Ginny.

"I could've sworn Hedwig was my owl," Harry joked, coming to stand near the first years, Ron behind him.

"Hi Harry!" Colin beamed, eager to see the hero he had managed to get a picture with earlier in the day.

"Hi Colin," Harry laughed, "Justin."

The other boy nodded in greeting.

"It's for us!" Ginny gently extracted a pile of letters wrapped in a red ribbon. "They're from Peia."

Harry pouted, "why didn't she send me anything?"

Ron patted his back consolingly, "it's gonna happen, mate. Our little sisters come to Hogwarts and then they forget we even exist. Just look at Ginny! Here and doing homework, completely ignoring us when she walked in."

Ginny rolled her eyes fondly, "maybe if you didn't miss my sorting I wouldn't have ignored you." The red-haired girl smirked at the outcry Ron gave, glad they were now able to joke about the incident.

"Peia wants to start a study group with the rest of the first years!" Colin read his letter, already penning his reply on a new sheet of parchment. "Will you take my response, Hedwig?"

The owl hooted, nudging her head against his hand when Colin beamed and stroked her feathers.

"Why'd she invite me?" Justin questioned in confusion. "I've never hung out with her."

Ginny shrugged. "It's Peia." As if that was answer enough.

It was.

"Oh! I have a note for you Harry," Ginny handed her letter over to the pouting ravenette, giggling at the eager expression that shot onto his face. "You never react like that," she complained to Ron who groaned. Bloody siblings, making me look bad.

"I thought you were ignoring me," Ron answered, ducking as Ginny laughedly threw her quill at him.

"Ginny!" George cried out, making the group turn.

There, on the side of his face, were splattered ink blots.

The quill laid haphazardly on his lap.

"Oops," Ginny immediately b-lined to the girls dorm.

"Oh no,"

"You don't!"

The twins gave chase, eliciting squeals and laughter around the room.

"She misses me. Says to say hello as well," Harry told Ron, folding and pocketing the small missive.

"Tell her I say hello," Ron grinned before glaring playfully at the younger boy. "And to stop making me look like a bad brother."

"You do that all on your own though," Harry pointed out before running behind Seamus and Dean who were coming down the stairs from the dorms.

"Harry!" Ron gave chase.

"Is it always like this?" Justin asked aloud, bemused.

"I hope so," Colin laughed, finishing his letter and gathering Ginny's reply. "Are you going to join?"

Justin paused, before shrugging. "Yea, it's a good idea after all. Do you think Demelza is going to join?"

They exchanged a glance at the laughing girl sitting a little away from them, her letter tossed aside. "Nah," they shook their heads.

Soon, Hedwig was being petted by Harry, three responses and Harry's own reply secured in the red ribbon.

Ginny had returned, red faced and panting, tear marks from her laughter still evident on her face while the twins sat smugly with their friends.

"They can't do that!" a voice cut through the common room, loud and shrill. "It's against the rules!"