The Clockwork Locket || SIRIUS BLACK

The Letter

The Great Hall buzzed with excitement when Cassie walked in for breakfast, but it was unsurprising as to why. The first Hogsmeade date had been posted on the notice board in all the House common rooms, and it was slated for the next weekend, four days before Halloween.

Those in third-year and up plotted about what they were going to do first when they got to the village, while the second- and first-years looked on enviously. Cassie couldn't help but be exceptionally grateful that she was no longer one of the younger students as she joined Lily, Alice, and Marlene at the table.

"Morning!" she chirped, scooping about three servings of eggs onto her plate and humming to herself all the while.

When she got no response, she looked up to find all three girls staring at her with varying degrees of surprise and concern. She paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. "What? Is it so wrong to be cheerful this early?"

"Well, when it's you, then yes," Alice said.

"I don't think I've ever seen you so chipper first thing in the morning," Marlene added. "You usually threaten to jinx us if we as much as whisper above a certain level."

Cassie made a face at her. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf."

"Or someone's been making you happier than usual," Lily muttered under her breath, which made Alice and Marlene snicker into their plates as Cassie stared blankly.

"Er, what?" she said when Lily gave her a knowing look, her green eyes twinkling.

"Oh, it's nothing," she said airily, waving her hand, and Cassie wondered why they were suddenly being so odd.

It was true, she conceded, that she'd never been a morning person, but she didn't understand what was making her the object of their amusement. For the past week, she'd been waking up refreshed and energized, and for some reason, she knew that it had to do with what Remus had told her at dinner a few nights ago. She felt as if some of the huge weight on her chest had been lifted, and it'd made her bubblier and more good-natured than usual, lending her a new motivation that had even allowed her to catch up on all her homework. She frowned into her goblet, thinking over Lily's words, but was interrupted when there was a sudden rustling noise above them, and the morning shower of owls flew into the Hall to deliver mail.

Cassie spotted Osbourne amongst them and cleared a space next to her elbow so he could land. He flapped down beside her and deposited a letter, hooting proudly.

"Hullo, Ozzy," she cooed, feeding him a bit of her toast as he ruffled his brown feathers happily.

He dipped his beak into her orange juice and made a content noise in his throat, giving her hand an affectionate nip before heading back to the Owlery with the rest of the owls.

Cassie reached for the letter but jumped when another bird landed right in front of her, a silvery-white owl that glared at her with sharp yellow eyes before croaking and taking off, leaving another letter in its wake.

She grabbed the letter the strange owl had dropped, frowning when she noticed it was blank. Puzzled, she set it aside, turning instead to the letter her parents (or, more accurately, her mum) had written her.

Dearest Cassie,

I received your last letter asking about Victoire's Voluminous Vial, and I went out immediately and bought you some. The witch working the shop was a dear; she knew me from the magazine, and gave me three bottles for the price of one! I have them here at the estate; please let me know what you want me to do with them. I can send them to you next time Osbourne comes, or I can wait until Christmas when you come home.